H 






H I M 

OF THE 

^WEST 



By 
NORRISC.SPRIGG. 



(: 




PHOTO BY ROTHBERGER 



CHIMES 
OF THE WEST 

BY 

MORRIS C. SPRIGG 




DENVER, COLORADO 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 

1903 



S THE L LR^.RY OF 
I CONGRESS, 

Two Copies ReceivBC 

JUN 17 1903 

Ccpyriijin tiUfy " 

ASS CL xXc. N.-> I 

I U T-"^ / ^ ' 
i Cory ji. 



Copyright, 19Q3, 
By NORRIS C. SPRIGG 



PRESS or 



®Ijp ^cth ^publtaliing Qlompany 



DENVER 






IRENE 



"Take courage, prisoner of time, for there be 

many comforts ; 
Cease thy labor in the pit, and bask awhile with 

truants in the sun. 
Be cheerful man of care, for great is the multi- 
tude of chances ; 
Burst thy fetters of anxiety, and walk among the 

citizens of ease. 
Wherefore dost thou doubt? If present good is 

round thee. 
Leave awhile the hot and dusty road, to loiter in 

the greenwood of Reflection. 
Come unto my cool, dim grotto that is watered 

by the rivulet of mirth. 
And over whose time-stained rocks climb the 

fairy flowers of content; 
Here upon this mossy bank of leisure fling thy 

load of cares; ' 

Taste my simple store, and rest one soothing hour. 
Prophets and priests and kings have tuned the 

harp I faintly touch. 



Man receiveth as a cup, but wisdom is the river. 
Facts and comparisons, and meditative atoms, 

gathered on the heap of combination. 
Mingle in the fashion of my speech with gossamer 

dreams of Reverie. 
Struggle — Thou art better for the strife, and the 

very energy shall hearten thee. 
And remember thou that laborest, thy leisure is 

not loss if it help to expose and undermine 

that solid falsehood, the Material." 



"Impassioned verse can never be 
The product of the mind alone, 
A quickened soul must touch 
And tone the sentiment at liberty 
And give sensation imagery 
Before it is afflatus blown 
Into the realms of purity. 
The pyramids of silent thought 
By reason reared and logic wrought 

Invite the genius of the mind 
But those emotions which control 
The energies of heart and soul 
Engage all three of these combined." 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

The Muses \^ 

On the Side i8 

Synopsis of the Year 20 

Nature 22 

Maids of Honor 24 

A Mountain Stream 25 

The San Juan 27 

To a Country Road 30 

To a Landscape Greeting 32 

Retrospect ZZ 

Nameless 35 

One Deed 36 

Nature's Brotherhood 37 

To Wall Street Camp 38 

Sugar Loaf 40 

Maximus 39 

Affianced 41 

Experience on Deposit 42 

Decline of Profession 43 

Straw Men 44 

Apropos 45 



8 CONTENTS 

Sold Himself Ten Times 46 

Elopement 47 

Divorce 48 

Exchange of Gleanings 49 

Wishing on a Ring 49 

May-Mazeppa 50 

Thee and Me 51 

A Romance 52 

No Longer a Kid 54 

The Bright Side. 55 

Love 55 

Love's Cipher Dispatch 56 

Love Song 57 

Love's Garden 58 

The Law of Trade 61 

A Denver Lady Notary 62 

Adj ustment 6^ 

On the Train 64 

Pike's Peak 65 

Mountain Musings 66 

Lady of the Lake 67 

On Her Twelfth Birthday 69 

Claim to be Twins 70 

To , (After Vacation) » . 71 

Comparisons 72 

Answered 72 

Choice or Favorite 7:^ 

Romarice. (From Fact) 74 



CONTENTS 9 

To on Ruby Wedding 75 

In Memoriam 'j^ 

A Child's Epitaph yy 

Weight Five Pounds 78 

All Complete 79 

No Credit 80 

]Bird Love 81 

Jealousy 82 

Fashion 83 

Take a Tumble 83 

The Night Bird 84 

Taxation Without Representation 85 

The^SIeigh Ride 86 

Modern Mining 87 

To Whom it may Concern 88 

At the Theater 89 

Little Hattie 90 

Graduation 91 

A Picture 92 

Under My Plate 93 

Santa Clause 94 

Spooks » 95 

At Three 96 

A Prophecy 97 

Our Baby 98 

Baby Is Gone 99 

Welcome Death 100 

Little Flora loi 



10 CONTENTS 

A Mother's Dream 102 

Waiting for Jessie 104 

Oh, Say, "Isn't In It" 105 

Climate and Health 106 

Leadville 107 

The Voice of Love 108 

Canon City 109 

Neatness no 

Superstitions in 

Will o' the Wisp 112 

Madness 113 

Curiosity 114 

Meditations of Spring 114 

Hotel Experience 115 

Song and Dance .'' 116 

From Fact 117 

The Bicycle Buster 118 

Broken Engagements 119 

The Circus 120 

The Bath 121 

You're Another 122 

The Bloomer Farm 123 

What Are Legs for? •.•••125 

Five Hundred Thousand 127 

Pallida Moss 128 

A Living Ladder 130 

On to Tea 131 

Contortionists 132 



CONTENTS II 

The Slanderer 134 

The Skeptic 135 

Dashing Young Men 136 

Charivari 137 

On Jerry's Reform 138 

Bessie Miller 139 

On the Train 141 

Christmas Tidings 144 

Literature 145 

The Pessimist 146 

Poets' and Authors' Club 147 

Light Reading 148 

The Mills of the Gods 148 

Time to Plant 149 

Cecelia on a Birthday 150 

The "Fellow" Across the Way 151 

The Mystic Curve 154 

A Vacuum 155 

At the Sea Shore 156 

Daisy Dell 157 

The Swamp Angel 157 

Ode to Friendship 158 

Coquetry 159 

Saw Indians 160 

A Great Success 161 

The Reverie 162 

Where Lieth the Difference 163 

Braggadocio 164 



12 CONTENTS 

The Owl 164 

Florence 165 

Be Merciful 166 

Pueblo 167 

Who Succeed 168 

Experience of a Game Warden 169 

Hallucination 170 

Prophetic Pie 171 

To , With Compliments 172 

Presence of Mind 173 

Slaves to Form 174 

Environment 175 

A Merchant's Experience 176 

At the Pie Counter 178 

Fresh Pork 179 

His Name Was Bill 180 

Little Dog Prince 181 

Menu 182 

Sure Fire 183 

The Mosquito 184 

My Old Hat 185 

Anti-Listlessness 186 

To the Market 187 

New Woman in Politics 189 

Lines 190 

The Latest Style 191 

The Dance I93 

April Fool 194 



CONTENTS 13 

Thanksgiving 195 

A Strange True Story 196 

Pseudo 198 

To a Lazy Fellow 199 

The Phonograph 200 

My Creed 201 

God — In Effect 202 

Process 203 

"I Like That" 204 

A Gift Flower 205 

Reconciled 206 

Self Reliance 207 

Service 208 

Integrity 210 

Be True 211 

Invention 212 

Distance ".213 

How to Wait 214 

Observations 215 

Thankful 216 

Eternal Fitness 217 

Not Strangers 218 

Why Ask I More? 219 

Genius 220 

To the Unseen 221 

Phenomena 222 

Who Live in a Star 223 

Addio 223 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



THE MUSES. 

Sometimes, when a dainty poem 
Comes flitting across your mind, 

And you would fain express it 
When the phrase you fail to find. 

The muses tell thee what to say 
In their musical glad refrain 

As on some glad May-day 
There is sunshine after rain. 

O heaven-sent are the muses. 
To the children of the brain. 

Most blest who most inhabit 
Realms where the muses reign. 



l8 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



ON THE SIDE. 

No I would not be deprived 
Of the happiness I have 
Every day. 
It's a whole world of my own, 
Tho' it can't be set to tune 
All I say. 
Writing lines forever more 
That were never writ before 
That is me. 
While I do not say it all, 
Many hints are let to fall 
You will see. 

Here there between the lines, 
As they come to me betimes 
Right away. 
Some should be left out I know, 
It's the best that I can do 
Lack a day. 
Who can guide a parachute, 
, Push a pencil, who can toot 
In a horn? 



CHIMES OF THE WEST IQ 

Too, I think it wrong to write, 
When you're in the gloom of night 
All forlorn. 
Some, I take it, try to write, 
When too sober or too tight. 
Give them room. 
Then it is that what they say 
Often gives them dead away — 
Seals their doom. 



20 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



SYNOPSIS OF THE YEAR. 

SPRING. 

Birds and flowers everywhere, 

Buds and butterflies, 
Diamond dewdrops, verdure fair. 

Domed bright blue skies. 
Crystal springs and babbling brooks 

'Mongst the beckoning trees ; 
As if smiling, daisy looks, 

Kissed by April breeze. 

SUMMER. 

Sunshine seeking every nook. 

Penetrates the shadows ; 
Ripened fruits and hollyhock. 

Waving fields and meadows ; 
Clover-blossoms for the bees, 

And the drowsy kine ; 
'Sweetly silent glens and leas 

In sultry summer time. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 
AUTUMN. 

Now the harvest season's over, 

Comes the Autumn feast, 
Never-failing, bountiful, 

Blessing man and beast. 
Industry amply rewarded 

By the "All-Wise" unseen hand. 
Faithfully the yield is guarded 

And the fertile land. 

WINTER. 

Ha-ha ! She sleepeth ! Steal a kiss. 

Hurrah for beds and appetites 
They too are elements of bliss. 

The best of all by rights. 
All terra firma cased in snow, 

Frost on the window-pane, 
"Pronounced it good" and justly so. 

Hurrah ! The round begins again ! 



22 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



NATURE. 

Nothing is great hut the inexhaust- 
ible wealth of Nature. She shows us only 
surfaces, hut is million fathoms deep. Were 
we to traverse the whole realm of Nature, 
nowhere would we find a more heautiful 
manifestation of God than we find in man, 
in soul and in mind and hody. — Emerson. 

Nature in the mountains, 

Up among the pines ; 
Nature in the valleys, 

Vieing with the vines; 
Nature in the tree tops. 

Tossing glad and free; 
Nature in the song birds, 

Voicing o'er with glee. 

Nature in the prairies. 

Spreading here and there; 

Nature in the carpets 
Of verdure sweet and fair; 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 23 

Nature in the raindrops 

And the sparkling dew; 
Nature in the crystal springs 

Reflecting heaven's blue. 

Nature in the brooklet 

Babbling merrily-; 
Nature in the zephyrs 

Sweeping sweet and free; 
Nature in the sunbeams, 

Kissing all the flowers ; 
Nature in the blossoms, 

Welcoming the showers. 

Nature in the honey-bees 

And the butterflies ; 
In the happy children's 

Bright and beaming eyes ; 
Nature in the hidden nook 

Tripped by elfin feet; 
Nature — What a wonder-book, 

Nature all complete ! 

Nature vastly varied, 

Rarer and more rare; 
Earth and ether, frost and fire, 

And the limpid air. 



24 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Nature, where art thou not, 
Where thou art, no knowmg ! 

In every form and element 
Nature goes on, going. 

MAIDS OF HONOR. 
To the fair maids of honor 
bo gentle yet so severe, 
Hailing from every county. 
Regal in sterling character, 
Thou art, indeed, well chosen. 
Justice welling in each soul. 
Centered in thee, is beauty and truth, 
Best citizenship the goal. 
Significant of our dear state, 
Uphold and dignify her laws. 
Embodiment of highest worth, 
Ultimate of first Great Cause. 
Pride of our splendid institutions 
And of our homes respectively. 
Right royal is thy mission. 
Thrice welcome unto thee. 

And now the Festal's over, 
God's blessings on each one. 

Long may you live and prosper 
And do not forget the fun. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 25 



A MOUNTAIN STREAM. 

Rushing, plunging, tearing lunging; 

Nothing else so quick. 
Lashing, crashing, plashing, dashing ; 

Till the rocks are slick. 

Leaping, heaping, swifter sweeping 

Into silvery spray; 
Gliding, sliding, constant tiding 

O'er my boulder way. 

* 

Cold and soft, just from aloft, 

Deep perpetual snow ; 
Swish, swish, with my melody, 
Singing as I go. 

Surging, bounding, hills resounding; 

Ah there, stand aside ; 
Do not impede my furious speed. 

The trout are taking a ride. 

Now I'm smoother, calmer, clearer, 
Into actual quiet; 



26 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

And now again at intervals 
Simply running riot. 

Who hath not seen me little knows 

The capers I can cut ; 
The schedule time on which I run 

Nor in the same old rut. 

A mirror to the wildest herd, 
Refreshing to the rarest bird; 

None say me nay as by the spring 
So joyfully I'm caroling. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 2^ 



THE SAN JUAN. 

Sweet the pink and purple foliage, 

Sweet the dawn in the San Juan ! 
As the golden sun begins to tinge 

The crest of many mountains, 
That, like a wall, all around. 

Encircle the San Juan. 

The blue dome of heaven sitting over, 

Like a cup, entrancing and delighting, 
As you look out and up, from the San Juan ! 

Spreading carpets, waving grasses. 

Like one vast and open page ! 
Red and buff and purple tinge ! 

Willows with a yellow fringe ! 
Now is autumn on, in beautiful San Juan ! 

Rio Blanca, Rio Grande Rivers, bowed to 
., By the silvery sage and cedars ; 
Spanned with mighty iron ribbons ; 

Steaming locomotives laden 
Speeding on and on ! in the great San Juan ! 



28 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Through the fields of waving flowers, 

And the herds of sheep and cattle, 
Wild and native, unmolested ; 

Fat and sleek and frolicsome ; 

In the wonderful San Juan. 

Homes and schools in thrifty towns, ' 

Farms and orchards there abound, 
Proclaiming superiority for San Juan ! 

At once a poem and a song — 
Rhymes to music, all along; 

Alamosa, Antonito,, Monte Vista, Del Norte, 
Habited by senora and senorita ; 

In splendid and superb San Juan. 

f 
Ouray, Durango, Silverton ; 

Indians, Whites, and Mexicans, 
Spanish, French and Texans, 

Who gave these romantic names? 
So interesting to hear in yon San Juan ! 

Solfinero, Espanola, La Jara, Conejos and Ignacio, 
Montezuma, Alta Vista, San Luis, Sangre de 
'Cristo, 
Are all in the Snn t..^^ » 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 29 

Chica, Blanca, Zapota, Huerfano, 

Manzanola, Cachetopa, Cotapaxi, 
Buelah, Grabiola, Mesa Verde, Archeluta, 

Riomancas, Riodelaspinas, Eureka, Vallicito, 
Ophir, Bocici, Rico, Uncompahgre, 

Pandora, Montelores, Quirica and Untoso, 
Rosita, Iris, Las Animas, Waunita, 

Vulcan and Aberdeen ; La Junta, Fredonia, 
Hecla, Siloam, Romana and Shawana. 



30 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



TO A COUNTRY ROAD. 

Sweet and winding country road 
Coulds't thou but speak or sing; 
Tell all the story of past days, 
Give voice to all life's mysteries. 

Of all the joyous, all the sad — 
Of my impressions when a lad — 
From mirthful youth to middle age 
Each day a dark or sunny page. 

What goes to make the average life. 
Or phantoms, visions, worry, strife, 
Of aspirations, day by day — 
O, winding road, if you could say. 

Could you but tell the story o'er 
From early youth till life hath fled, 
Of all the joyous, all the sad — 
I fain thou knowest, very well — 
And have a fancy — thou couldst tell. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 3I 

Another might a lesson learn 
That likest thou, life takes a turn 
From disappointments, mysteries. 
Sweet, winding road, of all thy days. 
Of all thy windings, all thy ways 
Recall in silent speech or song 
I long to know, I long — I long — 

"There is no end to the sky 

And the stars are everywhere 

And time is eternity 

And the here is over there; 

For the common need of the common day 

Are ringing bells of the far away." 



32 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



TO A LANDSCAPE GREETING. 

Read down the lines, O wondrous scene 
Beginning wth the clouds; 
In this stillness — Nature's poetry, 
Who dare to read aloud? 

Enraptured as the scroll unfolds 
In eloquence sublime — 
Thy tranquil spirit pervades ail 
Thy whispering is divine. 

O heart of Nature, to the soul of man 
What more appeals to thee — 
Insistent is thy sweet command 
Aspire to utmost purity. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 23 



RETROSPECT. 

"I love thee, Nature, with thy fresh winds blow- 
ing, 

When melting ice half checks thy streamlets flow- 
ing, 

When buds are opening and the young grass 
growing. 

When spring is here. 

I love thee with thy fair hills crowned with 

flowers ; 
When time is sleeping through the fragrant hours, 
'Neath drooping boughs of shaded slumbrous 

bowers, 

In summer time. 

I love thee better when the leaves are turning, 
The orchards bending and the maples burning 
When sheaves are garnered and when man is 
learning 

Thy beauty free. 



34 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

I love thee best when feathery flakes are flying 
The earth's hard Hnes in white concealment lying 
Thus hide the year's mistakes, for he is dying, 
'Neath maiden snows." 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 35 



NAMELESS. 

Ere the foot of man had touched the heather ; 
Ere the sons of man had lisp'd in childhood ; 
Ere a single heart had throb'd to love them, 
Bloomed the flowers — all nameless. 

Bloomed and faded where no eye beheld them 
Ere a single heart had throbbed to love them, 
So some life may live and fade and perish, 
Living with no loving heart to cherish. 

Hark ; I hear a brooklet ringing — ringing 
Through an unknown woodland, singing — singing ; 
Rippling on its way by vale and mountain, 
Where no tongue may taste its cooling fountain ; 
Rippling, till the wint'ry frosts have hushed it ; 
Sealed and thralled it in an ice-bound casket. 
Rippling till the North wind — down its 
Pathway dying — fall the leaves — all Nameless. 



S6 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



ONE DEED. 

Cail'st ihou catch a fleeting zephyr, 
Bind the fragrance of a rose, 

Trace the dew drop in its bosom 
Whence it came or whither goes. 

Can'st thou follow up the streamlet, 
Hurrying on its pebbly way, 

Or one ray of golden sunlight, 
Through the Universe of day. 

Can'st thou know the grand fruition 
Of a single generous deed? 

Nay ! 'tis infinite in vastness, 
God alone the extent can read. 



CHIMES OF THE W E S.T 37 



NATURE'S BROTHERHOOD. 

The ways of men may grow apart, 
But they never can lose each other. 

Envy may strike with poison tooth, 
But man unto man, must be brother. 

Some common sev'rance, grand and deep 
Brings the lesson on soon or later 

One pulse-throb wide as oceans-tide, 
One love, one law. One Creator. 

'Till stricken by some blinding grief, 
We weep apart — until, even the Sea 

In vapor gathers all mans tears ; 
To return in clouds of charity. 



38 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



rO WALL STREET CAMP. 

Beautiful Wall Street Camp, in thy rustic beauty. 

Just where the canons and the waters meet ; 
Where the rugged mountains of rocks and crags 
ascending, 
Are kissing each other at thy very feet; 
On the banks of Four Mile with its rushing waters 
Dashed into myriad spray almost as white as 
snow. 
Ever hastening onward with perpetual message. 
Telling to sea and river what we may never 
know. 

Sugar Loaf Peak in majesty is towering 

Like a mighty sentinel upward to the right, 
Sends the purest breezes as a lasting greetifig 

And guards securely through the darksome 
night ; 
Springs of crystal waters by the winding roadside 

Mountain peaks innumerable pointing to the sky, 
Bushes clothed in blossoms and the waving 
grasses, 

Each excels the other, pleasing to the eye; 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 39 

Flowers of rarest beauty and the stately pine trees, 
Many are the song birds lending their good 
cheer, 
See on every feature works of the great artist, 

Feel and know and realize that God is ever near : 
Many happy children with bright and gladsome 
faces, 
Voices blending with the birds ring out on the 
air. 
Nature's sweetest music and her rarest beauty, 

Is the joyful presence of the children fair. 
Beautiful Wall Street Camp, be thou a great 
blessing. 
Forth from thy rich store, yield thy wealth of 
gold, 
Much of precious treasure heaving in thy bosom, 
Thou wilt yet be famous, the half has not been 
told. 



MAXIMUS. 

Some people are perfect (only in some ways), 

Some have many faults, so the Bible says, 

As long ago as in Shakespeare's time, 

There was more of badness than v/ould rhyme. 

There was one Venus that long ago, 

And now there are many, each Adonis must know 



40 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



SUGAR LOAF. 

How thankful and delighted 

That on a certain day, 
I landed here in Sugar Loaf, 

Such a lovely place to stay. 
Right against the heart of nature. 

Up among the mountain peaks, 
Where the eloquence of beauty 

Is the language that she speaks. 
All about the stately pine trees 

Soughing, singing, tossing free, 
Courtesying to each other 

With the utmost dignity. 
And the crystal brooklet purling, 

Plashing, pulsing with the pine 
Seems to say, "I'm pleased to see you, 

And the day is very fine." 
There the golden sunshine pouring 

Into every nook a trace, 
Picturesqueness and perfectness 
' On each feature every place, 
So suggesting and revealing 

That the Good God for a throne 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 4I 

Could not more opportunely 

Find a place upon the zone. 
I am thankful and delighted 

That with bee and butterfly, 
The song-birds and the flowers, 

Here to revel and to vie 
For the privilege and the pleasure 

Hearing nature's sweetest song. 
For the freedom and the solace 

Of this joyous happy throng; 
The squirrels and the chipmunks. 

The burros and the kine, 
On the sunny sloping hillsides. 

Thankful for this sort of time. 



AFFIANCED. 

"Who gains her heart will win a precious prize 
And fortunate be in every lover's eyes," 
Blooms there a rose, more bright or fair 
Than she to me, O fairest flower? 
A pure white rose, complete, full blown 
Than all more pure ;ill for my own 
A wealth of roses bright and fair 
And now I have this wealth to wear. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



EXPERIENCE ON DEPOSIT. 

Am one of that sort of fellows, j'oii know, 
As lives within my means, and pay as I go, 
Most keeps me on the ragged edge of despair 
To make and pay, for what I eat and wear. 

Have learned some things, and know them well, 
Which go to help make one fairly successful. 
Namely, how to pound sand, and blow hot soup. 
Go in when it rains, and to tell straight up. 

I can guess which way the water Vv'ill run. 
What the weather will be, when it is come. 
How to take the hint 'thout bein' knocked down, 
Know the biggest dead beat in the whole town. 

Know fellows so mean they won't answer letters. 
Who answer the fewer, the more they are debtors ; 
Know others who are just as nice as pie, 
Who don't have the right look in the eye. 

"Nuff experience on deposit, thus and so ; 
This is a partial list of what you must know 
To keep the wolf from the door, collectors too, 
How to do unto others, or they'll do you. 



CHIMES OF T H E W E S T 43 



DECLINE OF PROEESSION. 

Lawyer in large city left on his last pins, 
Never man more witty, cases he gets he wins ; 
Here's just where the rub comes in, 
For his profession is overdone. 

Physician full of the finest points 
Prepares prescriptions for out of joints; 
Starvation knocking at his door. 
For of physicians there are many more, 
And here is where the rub comes in, 
The profession's badly overdone. 

College professor of texture fine, 
Toned enough for the foremost line, 
Turned down by district school remote, 
Skulking round in a threadbare coat, 
Here's wdiere the rub comes in. 
The profession is vastly overdone. 

Brace up, my friend, I here extend 
To you the utmost sympathy ; 
Don't jump over the bluff, for 
You still have enough (grit) 
To win in some other wav. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



STRAW MEN. 

Had dealings with a dozen men a day 

The half of whom would blow away 

If as light on the scales as scaly, 

Who never made a promise keep ; 

Thoroughly seared yet lose no sleep, 

Sadly there are many such as these 

As men "not in it" but to beat, and freeze. 

One's confidence in human kind 

The more you're around the more you find 

Men made of straw, who evade the law 

In so far as they may, each year to a day 

And do it systematically. 

Thrive like "the big fish" in the water, 

Preying on those they hadn't ought to 

Deceive and mislead by whatever means. 

Didn't know this? You "don't know beans 

When the bag "is wide open," may cost you dear * 

To find it out, unless you steer clear. 

AND SO. 

My "horny-handed sons of toil" 

Be on your guard, don't let them spoil 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 45 

Your prospects for the future life 

Or "cut your heart out with a knife;" 

For some there are already say 

Corruption and dishonesty, 

Faithlessness and treachery, 

Claim a large majority of the 

Human family ; mark a period of decay 

Of all common decency, 

Won't have it any otlier way. 

Say honesty has had its day. 

That the whole train will go astray. 

If this be so, then lackaday; 

If as light on the scales, as scaley 

Then all the rest would blow away. 

APROPOS. 

Of all the store the choicest flower 
Yet cannot vie with thee. 
Submits in humble silence there 
Upon thy breast to be 
Excelled in beauty, and in form, 
In sweetness, grace and modesty. 

How fairest flower can think and speak, 

Impress, inspire in silence meek 

More eloquent than orator 

The language of the morning star. 



CHIMES OF THE W P. S T 



SOLD HIMSELF TEN TIMES. 

Once from an old time custom, 
Under form of the law of trade, 
Having purchased ten tons of hay, 
The empty wagon was weighed ; 
So much gross and net and tare 
Is the rule all over, everywhere. 
And unless a great ponniver. 
The "tare" includes the driver. 
Now the wife, being up in books 
Remarked, "I don't like his looks," 
It would cause no one any hurt 
Better watch, he might do you dirt." 
In ten full loads he hauled the hay, 
Always stayed on each load to weigh. 
It "was five a ton and want the pay," 
When I replied, "You'll have to stay, 
It is plain to see you belong to me, 
I have bought you time and again. 
And always go in a game to win. 
'Tis a^ pity you didn't bring more ; 
You weigh but a hundred and thirty 
And have played me a trick so dirty 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 47 

Since you make no contradiction, 
And truth is greater than fiction ; 
It's whatever I fail to see, 
That a little bird tells me." 

'IVhcn courage fails, and faith burns lozu, 

And men are timid grozvn, 
Hold fast thy loyalty, and know 

That Truth still liveth on." 



ELOPEMENT. 

Have you ever been in love? 

Let lovers elope and live. 
"Old Man" refuses to give or take- 

The lovers will take or give. 

Tho' they fly to realms unknown, 
The old man don't know beans 

If he fails to see the point — 
The end justifies the means. 

For go they where they may, 
Love, cherish and protect 

Is the theory obtains today — 
In love it is cause and effect. 



4S CHIMES OF THE WEST 



DIVORCE. 

The most binding chain 
Has of Hnks only two — 
The lad and the lassie 
Together. The laddy is me, 
And the lassie is you. 
Securely we're welded 
Together like glue, 
By the bonds of affection 
With love for each other 
Past all benediction. 
Pure love links^ well welded. 
Know no separation 
Nor cankering fetters, 
While together entwined. 
But alas ! in this chain 
'Tis no n6w revelation 
That oftimes in breaking 
These links harshly bind. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 49 



EXCHANGE OF GLEANINGS. 

I love the flowers, indeed I do ; 
To the spirit and the letter. 
But seeing others love them too — 
Is something I love better. 

The sweets of earth in solitude 
Are sweet; but none the less, 
Shared with another's sympathy 
Serve even more to bless. 

I loye all that are good and true 
And love to have them love me too. 
Life's chiefest blessing— doing good 
There is no sweeter livelihood. 



WISHING ON A RING. 

A very, very happy life 
Worthy friend, none of strife 
Lots of sunshine to the end 
Is the greeting I would send. 



50 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



MAY—MAZEPPA. 

It is thy wistful beaming eyes 
That speak the language of the skies, 

Th-at bind more tightly than earthly ties- 
Me unto thee; Express surprise? 

When I confess to a surmise 

Insistent love would fain disguise 
While Cupid coddles for a prize. 

The lofty peaks waft purest breeze ; 

The birds are happier in the trees ; 
All terra firma seems to take 

New life ; thy presence in the wake. 

Some sentiment, supremely sweet ; 

As sweetest music ; so complete, 
That chimes with robin and the lark, 

The golden sunset and the park. 

O'er landscape spreading like the sea 
. To border dome and canopy ; 
The evening star impresses me 

As fair, but no more fair than thee. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 51 

Thine eyes suggest so much, or more, 
Than all of other earthly store ; 

E'en the whole world, and else beside. 
I would forever here abide 

Lost in the charm of mystic curve 
Of roguish glance but wilful swerve 

Of hand withdrawn, more eloquent — 
Insists there is no slight consent. 

Ah, cruel fate ! ah ! heart of steel ! 

To crush my ardor and my zeal 
While Cupid pranks th'i tendrils start 

You make me victim of the smart 
Of "One should never wear one's heart 

Upon one's sleeve" — dost thou perceive? 

THEE AND ME. 

When a voice from the silence shall call to me, 

Aye in tones that lull me to dreamless sleep, 
When the passions of life which were all to me 

Have sunk to the depths of the voiceless deep ; 
When the pain of the passion I bore for thee 

Shall throb no more and my heart grows cold. 
When I wait in the shadows no more for thee. 

When I wait no more as in days of old, 
When we shall have met on the other shore. 

Will the "old time" affection revive once more ? 



^2 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



A ROMANCE. 

With sonorous notes of every tone 
Mixed in confusion sweet the forest rings. 
My lady and her lover 
As a da}' in June did wane 
Were taking a long, long walk 
In a long and lonely lane. 
'Twas a lovely day in June, 
The birds were all atune, 
To every thing that they would say 
The birds would trill a roundelay. 
While walking was not their station 
So very pleasant the conversation 
They had not thought to feel fatigue, 
Away from home almost a league, 
Promptly on their returning 
Mamma did enquire : "]\Iy daughter dear, 
You've walked so far, truly didn't 
You tire ?'' Answering : "Yes I did. 
Till Beau ideal tied my shoe ; 
Then I was rested ; now mamma, 
Wouldn't you?" "O. nonsense child. 
You're surely tired, if not 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 53 

Why then, think 3'ou'd better go again." 
Oft' they did and longer tarried; 
(A little later, they were married.) 
Thus mothers help to make the match ; 
Girls are elected to sew and patch. 
Thus ended single life forlorn 
Another home to a Nation born. 
Sisters and brothers sing together, 
With the birds in the sunny weather : 
"And don't you eber doubt it, 
"For we knows all about it, 
"And we knows ebery fing ; 
"We hears our mamma sing." 
She says be careful what you say 
(She is 'fraid we dive her away) 
We really are too smart, 
So you see, we all agree, 
To every thing and shout 
And sing, and continue to sing 
With the birds, and baby brother. 

And very often mamma and papa 
Too walk along, join in the song 
Down the self same lane. 
That once seemed long. ( All sing) 
"We love fresh air, the birds and tree's 
We love the lull of the gentle breeze 



54 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

That makes sweet music in the trees ; 
Through the deep thick shade 
Toward the clear blue sky 
To see the fleecy clouds go by; 
-^r„ i^._ ^^^^ i^ygy ^^^g^ ^j^^ flowers 

No family happier now than ours. 



NO LONGER A KID. 

I am no longer a kid, 

Have outgrown my kidlet ways, 
Yet always in for some fun, 

Think it's the thing and pays. 

If dignity means to be sedate 
So sober as never to smile 

I would rather prefer to wait, 
Not to dignify yet a while. 

Yes rather take chances, 

Sidetrack the shy glances 
Of such as profess overmuch 
' Who grow prematurely old 
Not keeping the world in touch. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 55 



THE BRIGHT SIDE. 

Look on the bright side, again I insist, 
Vary thy steerage and banish the mist. 
Joy be thy compass, through night and by day ; 
"Laugh and grow fat" — glad-hearted and gay. 

Send out some greeting to all whom you meet ; 
Will make you more happy and steady your feet. 
Stand firmer my fellows, so downcast and sad, 
The sunshine is yours, rejoice and be glad. 

The twinkling stars, the brook and the tree 
The dew-drop and daisy so bright and ^o free ; 
Wherever thou art on land or on sea. 
The great heart of love, throbs ever for thee. 



LOVE. 

Love is the welding of hearts, where wishes join, 
The putting of self away for better coin. 
Love is an endless chain, with links all fast; 
If you take one link away — Love cannot last. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



LOVE'S CIPHER DISPATCH., 

"The stealing glance that wins its way 
To where the soul's affections lay." 

A little more "tin" to a Scotchman's tone 

Than Americans' I think ; 
The Irishman — who can talk on the rin 

Has seemingly twang of zinc. 

The Colored's, bears a mixture of mud 

Or is somewhat heavy, rather 
And no matter if dark as midnight 

You can tell the one from 'tother. 

The Italian and John Chinaman, 

Speak forth with a lighter flow 
And to help explain their meaning 

Their motions they make — "just so" — 

The German's a. sturdy fellow 
Who studies his brogue to break 

If he wants you to understand him 
He tries his best to make. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 57 

And then there's another language, 
Known as the "woman's tongue," 

Who has not heard one talk a streak 
Don't know the general run. 

There's the broken and unbroken 
All alike they have their crosses 

But no language written or spoken 
Like "glance" twixt lads and lasses. 

No matter what nationality- 
No matter how dark the night ; 

Love's cipher dispatch is 
What makes the matches that 
Strike till they turn down the light. 

LOVE SONG. 

My love is all the world to me. 

North, South, o'er land or sea 

Or East or West my Love is best, 

Or West or East, a constant feast, 

My love is all the world to me. 

Or be he on the land or sea 

Of all that therein is 

More than them all to me. 

Were it not for love, else could not be. 

Then come to me, come to me dearest 

I am waiting and watching for thee. 



58 CHIMES OF THE ^VEST 



LOVE'S GARDEN. 

Love's garden is where affection 
Is the medium of exchange ; 

Where wishes make the connection 
By fond looks fairest range. 

Fragrant and fair love's garden 
None can thy secrets know — 

How Cupid prowls for prizes 
Nor how thy tendrils grow. 

Till once within thy borders 

On entering do find 
How like the ivy to the oak 

Love's garden's tendrils bind. 

The fruitage of love's garden, 
That rarer and more rare 

Heart throbs unfold to blossoms 
For yield surpassing fair. 

The elfins of love's garden 
From diamond dew-drops sip 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 59 

And revel in beds of roses 
Tippling from honied lips. 

Where passions play responsive ; 

Where hearts eclipse the head ; 
Where eloquence of glances, 

Where no words need be said. 

Love's garden hath fairer flowers 

Her roses are more fair 
That charm through passing hours 

And lend their presence rare. 

Love's garden hath her springtime, 

The bloom of love for poet's rhyme, 

The fragrant breath of zephyrs ; 
The budding in her prime. 

For summer sky — the deep blue eye ; 

For autumn — eyes of brown ; 
For virgin snow — a throat I know ; 

For winter — casual frown. 

Love's garden hath rarer roses 

Than bush or bud hath borne ; 
And ere "My Love" proposes 

The trysting place foresworn. 



60 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

The fruitage of love's garden 
For cherry and peach and pear, 

Heart-throbs unfold the blossoms, 
The Elfins revel there. 

Elfins of love's sweet garden 
Where bees from dew-drops sip. 

And frolic among the lilies 
That zephyrs gently tip. 

It is within love's garden 
Where tiniest tendrils grow, 

Till twining hearts together 
The weldings ever glow. 

Garden of Love, where settles 
Fond kisses on fervored lips ; 

Pink finger-tips for petals, 
Pet phrases pass for tips. 

Garden where modest blushes, 
Deep dimples, loving eyes ; 

Maiden, O beauty marvel, 
A new and glad surprise. 

To find the fullest favor, 

To know thy inmost art ; 
Entrancing loved and lover, 

Responsive heart to heart. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 6l 

Love's garden therefore hath her glory ; 
All elements are in the story : 

For showers, are tears ; 

For storms, are fears ; 
Through the years of joy or sorrow — 
God's blessing on thee each to-morrow. 

THE LAW OF TRADE. 

Some have a conscience, some have none. 
Some live in a teot and feel at home, 
Some have no home and rove about 
Above reproach ; I have found this out. 

borne think all night what to do next day. 
How to "make a stake" and get away. 
And afterward live in pomp and style. 
With conscience smitten all the while. 

Mistaking each bush for an officer. 
Whose badge or star may to them refer. 
While often seemingly industrious 
Are sometimes refugees from justice. 

If I were a Gentile or even a Jew, 
With the tactful insight found in you, 
Might own a bank in a single day, 
It is just as well it is not that way. 



62 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



A DENVER LADY NOTARY. 

Behold, the Goddess of Liberty 
Not more dignified than she, 
Strictly modern lady notary 
First ever known to history. 
(Enter applicant for pension.) 
Hold up your hand, sir, and be sworn ; 
Said she, with a sort of semi frown, 
"The color of your hair, and eyes?" 
With tone of voice, that gave surprise, 
Not perfectly sound, and how do you feel? 
And gracefully annexed her seal. 
Tho' he was brave hearted comrade 
With honorable discharge. 
Bore the scars of many battles 
Was an officer at large : 
Had ne'er before surrendered, 
No, neither heart nor hand. 
So commanding was her manner 
That he was at her command ; 
(Prepared his papers with intention 
And is "private" partner to the pension.) 
(Sequel). 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 6^ 

Now, he's no longer bachelor, 
And she is ex-Miss Notary, 
He holds the baby — as a Seal — 
While she administers the meal. 

ADJUSTMENT. 

Born within a shell that is subject unto breakage, 

Individual responsibilities and cares galore. 
Selfishness and uncertainty like some fragile 
package. 
Reform, what's under thine own hat thoroughly 
before. ^ 

You ever do insist that the world is growing 
worse 
Else it may be ; with faith, hope and love to 
fortify, 
Most pitiful to see how little these avail thee. 
They suffer most who quite forego instead of 
ever try. 

Each day be given less to faults and feignings 
To know and be the truth, be this thy chief 
desire. 
Attaining non-resistance yields most important 
gainings. 
Truly there is nothing, that excelleth character. 



64 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



ON THE TRAIN. 

Gliding along, perfect comfort and ease, 
Speeding through space, smooth as the breeze. 
By secret of simple system of steam ; 
The work of some genius, a fairy-like dream. 

Wheatfields and meadows, so vivid appear 
And now they are gone, scarce time to refer. 
The cattle and horses, in drowsy recline. 
Disturbed for the instant, form in a line. 

The picturesque ricks, abundant the yield; 

The orchards of fruits, the far-reaching field. 

Broad acres entrance, perfecting the scene. 

The sunshine, the songbirds, the groves that be- 
tween 

The children are joyous, the grown are spell- 
bound ; 

And we wave them in passing, glad tidings re- 
sound. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 6$ 



PIKE'S PEAK. 

Had I been with you in the snow 
To see you get so soaking wet; 
I might have made a verse, or so, 
And surely think I would — may yet. 

In August on the highest peak 
"Affinities" no word can speak 
No summer month is half so warm 
As is affection's mutual charm. 

Drawn to each other, lasting chords ; 

No frost can freeze, no need for words ; 

The look far-reaching, deeper far 

From those fond eyes — than peak from star 

Alas ! I envy him his court — 
Am jealous of the precious prize. 
I too, am won ; enamoured quite 
By mystic glance from lovely eyes. 



66 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



MOUNTAIN MUSINGS. 

If variest daintiest chirp 
Of tiniest little bird 
So near confirms the truth 
Of the "unspoken word." 

Thy voice so strangely sweet 
Melodious and complete ; 
Wafted on the morning air 
Proves that God is everywhere. 

Perfectness of the slender petal ; 
Leaf and flower so uniform. 
Sound and color sweetly blending, 
Life of love, whose portals charm. 

Throughout all of time extending 
Merging into beauty rare 
Sacred musings serve the moment 
In memory the, soul of prayer. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 67 



LADY OF THE LAKE. 

I have for a friend, one C. M. C, 

Who lives by a beautiful willow tree, 

On the banks of a sparkling lake : 

Where fishes and fowls their pleasure take, 

In guessing the shadows from over the meadow, 

By sun or moon, through the willow tree 

Of the lady love of my C. M. C, 

As to and fro is gracefully past 

Her lovely form on the water cast 

From the willow bough a grapevine swing ; 

From whence so often is heard to sing. 

In sweetest tones, like an angel voice, 

Some song of love to her mated choice. 

(Sings:) 
Oh, the golden willow the vines for swings. 
In my perfect boat I am taking note 
Of my lovely pets, the fowls and fishes, 
As they glide and float and guess my wishes. 
As I glance from them, out over the meadow, 
Where the peaceful kine in the painted clover 
Their perfect pleasure take, and ever 



68 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

And anon, I study and think and plan 

How better to work in the golden traces 

With my own — true love — my perfect man. 

Do what I can to smoothe rough places, 

To soften the pillow with sweet content, 

So sweet as the clovers perfume sent; 

From o'er the banks of the beautiful lake 

That he may as perfect pleasure take. 

As the fowls and fishes, and gentle kine 

Nor ever feel the weight of time. 

And time touch lightly upon his brow, 

For I'm his sweetheart, I'm his frau. 

O, come with me dear to my grapevine swing, 

And sit very near while I sweetly sing 

In close commune, with the fowls and fishes. 

To win their affections, they share my wishes. 

I'll borrow from them, their mild content. 

And convey it to thee, as heaven sent. 

Then come with me dear to my lovely swing 

And sit very near, while I sweetly sing : 

It is very safe, have ye no fear — 

Share with me your love — I will share your care. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 69 



ON HER TWELFTH BIRTHDAY. 

(By request of Mamma.) 
Blossom, dear Blossom, whose sprightly expression 

Thus promptly to prompt the poetical vein, 
When "sweet sixteen" gallants will be guessing 

How best to pursue thy love's mystic train. 

That love is a mystery, some have accepted. 

That many a "suitor"may yet be rejected; 

That flirting and foppery, too, are professions 

That "trigger" is sprung by sprightly expressions ; 

That beauty and goodness are not always con- 
nected ; 

That many a cast-off is most sadly dejected ; 

That wreckages strewn like dead leaves on the 
way 

That hearts may be broken by what you may say. 

The unspoken word the look or the action, 
The "sheep's glance" enough to give satisfaction. 
The presents that follow expressive of joy, 
The hearts that are tossed about as' a toy, 
The broken and bleeding, O, bear you in mind, 



/O CHIMES OF THE WEST 

The things that betoken what you will find. 
You take chances, the fates will determine 
Who may be your mate, or Gentile or German 
However exacting, or the most common scrub, 
For Love is mysterious, and here is the rub; 
Then beware of the wiley, don't you barter away ; 
Heart strings have been broken by some foppish 

Jay. 
Good-looking and dressy, so shapely and all, 
Remember Old Adam took part in the fall. 

That Adonis and Venus, and by Jupiter, 
To mix-ups that happen you simply refer 
Love is blind as a bat — an honest confession — 
Due largely, perhaps, to the sprightly expression. 

CLAIM TO BE TWINS. 

Little maidens, blue eyes and brown, 
Claim to be twins, in "mighty big" town. 
Equally saucy, and full of mischief, 
Each other's company, perfect relief, 
Equal in many things, different in few. 
One has brown eyes, the other has blue ; 
One is a brunette, the other a blonde, 
And each of the other so equally fond. 
In many respects they are "twins" indeed ; 
Certain others, "Take the will for the deed." 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 7I 



rO , (AFTER VACATION.) 

Am glad you returned to the City, 
Hope you are here to stay, 

As an editor, wise and witty, 
Forever, and for a day. 

I am also glad to know 
You are still in statu-quo, 
So happy, busy and sunny, 
And making a little money. 

The gleaming intelligence of your face, 
The goodly share of womanly grace 
You carry with you every day, 
The always knowing, what to say. 
In keeping "tab" on matters current, 
Acquired fitness, and inherent. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



COMPARISONS. 

The genial face and the agile step 
Are the face and the step for me. 

Most likely win "nine out of ten" 
More than "two best out of three." 

The beaming eye on passing by, 
Light hearted, glad and free. 

Are pleasing and inspiring — 
Worth living long to see. 

'Tho "comparisons are odious" 
One may frankly — must admit — 

The sluggish one, to look upon 
By contrast, "isn't in it." 



ANSWERED. 

A little bird once came to me 
And sang a song so merrily. 
"Whoever sent you here," said I. 
"The spirit of love," was the reply. 
The answer wafted in sweetest song 
Or love, or spirit, was cherished long. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 7Z 



CHOICE OR FAVORITE. 

It is, indeed, a difficult task 

To determine one's favorite flower, 

Or violet, or lily, or rose. 

Who knows ? Who knows ? 

There are so many from which to select 

Change one's mind, cause to reflect 

For an hour, as to one's favorite flower. 

In Literature, or prose, or verse. 

One's favorite is (who knows?) or worse, 

Since really so many are ever so clever 

Try naming a choice, impossible ever — 

Or whether of fact or of fiction, 

It is true, make no contradiction. 

Is it so of the human family? 

We have our favorites you and me. 

So well we love "some persons" best, 

But little is left for all thp rest. 



74 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



ROMANCE. 
(From Fact.) 

Now here is a beautiful tree, 
Have guarded it from a sprout, 

Do spare it, kind sir, for me 
While clearing the others out. 

Am fond of the "grand old" trees — 
Leave this one, if you please. 

Under it's branches I first met, 
Loved and wooed as lovely maid 

As ever walked the sod, sir; 
Deprive us not of its shade. 

All these long, long years it 
Has stood each succeeding storm, 

And now it marks the sacred mound 
Of wife. Mother.. Refrain from harm. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 75 



TO ON RUBY WEDDING. 

"Harry" and ''Dolly" and "Dolly" and "Harry' 
Long, long years ago decided to marry. 
And marry they did on a certain day — 
Third of October the calendars say. 

Sweethearts all this time and more, 
As greatly determined as ever before 
To win and hold each others affection 
At whatever cost, and in this connection ; 

Exchange of gleanings, reading together ; 
Sunny, however stormy the weather, 
Harmonious, blending the two in one 
More substantial than the usual run. 

Till days of doubts and fear are gone 
Of guessing and uncertainty, 
They hail with joy the gladsome dawn 
Thirty-five years since wedding day. 

Then here's to me heart and to me hand. 
The Dooleys are dandies — Bohemians — and 
So generous to a fault I find. 
Shall thusly ever bear them in mind. 



76 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



IN MEMORIAM. 

Thou lily of the valley, 

Blooming in beauty rare, 
Fulfilling a sweet mission. 

'Twas God who placed thee there. 

Growing in all pertection. 

Not caring to be seen, 
Seckmg remote seclusion 

So modest and serene. 

Scarce had thy flower unfolded. 

Superbly full and fair, 
A cruel hand hath crushed thee 

Ruthless and unaware. 

'Tis simply a transplanting, 
Thy yield will be more bright ; 

Beautiful and eternal, 
Clothed in celestial light. 



"Then I think of one who in 
Her youthful beauty died, 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 11 

The fair, meek blossom that grew up 
And faded by my side. 

In the cold moist earth we laid her 
When the forest cast the leaf, 

And we wept that one so lovely 
Should have a life so brief. 

Yet not unmeet it was that one 

Like that dear young friend of ours, 

So gentle and so beautiful, 
Should perish with the flowers." 



A CHILD'S EPllAFH. 

By winding road in Fairmount 

Is seen a little mound ; 
"Papa's Chum Gone," 

On simple headstone found. 

To many eyes it brings the tears. 
As to a broken heart refers. 
Known by all who pass that way. 
And Papa has their sympathy. 

The little fellow had made himself useful 
leading the blind father. 



78 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



WEIGHED FIVE POUNDS. 

Speaking of turkey reminds me 
Ten days before Thanksgiving 
Our minds were bent on living 
As well as on any day before, 
Have as many good things, or more. 
Then it was our darling boy 
With pocket-book and greatest joy 
Was started out to look about, 
Nothing more nor less than that 
To find a gobbler that was fat. 
It was early in the morning 
And soon it was that he 
Saw a rare looking specimen 
On a lone and spreading tree 
That the turkeys were adorning; 
Then it was that he did mention 
To the farmer his intention 
Taking home a turkey living. 
After- honest money giving. 
Plucked a fine one from the roost, 
On the "all right" scales did boost. 
"Ah ! Fine and fat it is," he says, 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 79 

"Fifteen pounds is what it weighs." 

Although it was a healthy bird 

Of such a head whoever heard, 

For after those ten days well fed 

Weighed but ten pounds without the head. 

ALL COMPLETE. 

A little cluster, trash and straw. 
All neatly finished and round, 

A little pair of birdies 
Nesting upon the ground 

With no sort of a shelter, 
Perchance a little weed. 

God cares for the tiny creatures, 

It is wonderful, indeed. 

However delicate and small 

"Nor doth a single sparrow fail." 

A little nest of speckled eggs. 

Two birdies — man and wife — 
Are never known to disagree. 

Surely there is no strife. 
A little nest of birdies. 

Brown and pretty and sweet, 
List to their gentle cooing, 

What could be more complete. 



80 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



NO CREDIT. 

I had a fellow for a friend 

With all the faculty, 
Of make believe, who would pretend 

I was the only. 

Once on a time when busted 

He asked me for a lift, 
I loaned him ten, mistrusted — 

As well have been a gift. 

At first I rather prized him 

But caught him in a lie, 
And later realized him 

Dead head of deepest dye. 

Could that ten tell the story 

Of how my pockets leak, 
But then it can't, begory, 

It is to others Greek. 

But little thanks for being poor, 

'Sin to let others beat you, 
'Aint goin' to do it any more. 

Till someone proves untrue. 



CHIMES OF T II E W E S T 



BIRD LOVE. 

"Ever, my son, be thou like the dove, 

In friendship as faithful 
As constant in love." 
Not infrequently I see the birdies kiss, 
Indeed they do, often as any lovers. 
In bird life, there is unbounded bliss. 
So much not hidden under covers. 

No carefully drawn curtain 

When sweetest song is sung 
(Like courtings mostly done) 
Is the birds' unbounded happiness 
Kept in seclusion from the world. 
If such gay plumage and sweet song 
Are meant for one, and only one. 
They are by more seen and enjoyed. 

Not sweetest song by some dim light 

But rather at the dawn of day. 
Is this not right? And no monopoly. 
,0n rising sun and blushing East 

No maiden's crimson cheek 

For kisses vainly wished. 
Oh, for the joy of birds 



82 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

'Mongst humans introduced, 
And live wings for plumage 
Instead thereof of dead. 

Birds love by living action, 

No empty word is said. 

JEALOUSY. 

A beautiful bride on a bright sunny day 

Was bathing in a branch when, sad to say, 

By some ill fate or dire mischance 

She lost her ring of shining gold 

In the water deep, as I am told. 

Screamed for the giver, "Husband, dear," 

Who said, "It is gone forever, I fear. 

It may turn up is my hope and wish." 

Was afterward found inside of a fish 

At a restaurant on the table. 

How verily romance or fable 

A thing so unusually rare — 

It was placed on the bill of fare; 

And so greatly effected a sort of dude 

That he called it bologna, a thing so rude 

The bride made a break at the fellow's head. 

A terrible scrap, they were taken out dead. 

When on being buried in a single grave 

The groom was jealous, and started to rave. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 83 



FASHION. 

There are black birds with red wings, 
And red birds with black wings 

Soon to have no wings at all. 
There are blondes and brunettes 
With wings on their hats — 

Was it Eve induced Adam to tall ? 
Only think of the flood 
Of the poor birds' life blood 
That hath flown just alone 

For the thoughtless and vain, 
With the birds, blood is blood, 
Life is dear as to you ; 

From so brutal fashion refrain. 



TAKE A TUMBLE. 

A Tumble weed in fairy land 
Came tumbling into a brownie band. 
All went on board the lovely train, 
Enjoyed a spin in the dashing rain. 
Most jolly crew, as all agreed. 
Taking a ride on a tumble weed. 



84 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



THE NIGHT BHW. 

I have one little bird 

That sings in the night, 
Whose happiness voices over 

Long before daylight. 
Takes his rest between times, 

Makes merry while he may. 
Sings because he has to, 

From what I hear him say : 
"To-whit, to-whit, to-whir-r-r." 
Is not a very pretty bird 

A most modest little thing 
Shies to the utmost pinnacle : 

Then makes the welkin ring : 
"To-whit, to-whit, to-whir-r-r." 
Wish all might hear him sing. 



CHIMES O F T 11 E \V E S T 



TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTA- 
TION. 

In the silent watches of the night, 

A sight came o'er me that was a sight. 

The "people" ask Congress for a monument 

And with it alone would be content. 

Like Cleopatra or the obelisk 

And fully satisfied with this. 

A tribute to labor inscribed thereon 
In plainest English following form, 
"To labor we owe, our very existence," 
Signed by all the congressmen 
With the greatest resistance. 

Majestically towering toward the sky. 
Constructed of something of value high, 
Say, for instance, the silver bullion, 
And issue a hundred and fifty million 
With four per cent on posterity. 
Heritage of lasting drudgery. 

And then a tombstone to stand thereby ^ 
With simple inscription to catch the eye 



86 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

In memory, O the congressmen of a nation. 
Who gave more tax than representation. 

Hand the rascals down to history 
In their proper light ; 
Preserve them to posterity, 
Perfect parasite 



THE SLEIGH RIDE. 

The snow, the snow, the beautiful snow, 
I observe it still fastly falling. 
And sleighing is perfect, immense ; 
For a drive I am quite in suspense. 

For O the beautiful snow 

That makes a sleigh go, 

Light hearts sprightly beat, 

Is still fastly falling 

On house top and street. 
All this being so, will you please 
Let me know just when we can go 

How for instance to-night? 

The moon will shine bright 

And though our ears tingle 

We'll hear the bells jingle. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 87 

MODERN MINING. 

Mines and electricity 
So great in their import, 
Working on the skirmish line, 
Aforetime, held the fort; 
What the future hath in store 
Mining easier and more. 
Not to be determined yet, 
Ripe for it, the time is set ; 
Strictly up against each other — 
Have you not seen the smoke? 
So much less need of muscle, 
Tell you, it is no joke. 

Less money out, more to make. 
Mining is to take the cake. 
No more hammer, no more drills. 
Melt the ore and make it run 
Like they do at the mills. 
And catch the molten stufif 
In iron trains, do enough 
To make up for lost time, 
When mining's reached its prime. 
A field that is so very great 
Can scarcely have an ultimate. 
In many things, electricity 
Is doing all that needs to be. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 

Halt you now on your downward career ; 

Face about. 
Acquired depravity's the unpardonable sin 

There is little doubt. 
To whisky, tobacco, profanity your about 

Half gone; 
And, too, along the downward career 
You're far from being alone. 

How many wrecks there are by the way, 
By the way how many a wreck. 

Good character's sterling currency 
Till its opposite taketh effect. 

That great big I of selfishness 

Is very certainly God 
Careth little for other's feelings 

And scarcely common clod. 

Vascillating. impetuous, irascible. 

And other such things as these, 
It is next thing to impossible 

For others ever to please. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 89 

Oh God have mercy on the inhuman race ; 

That He will I hope and expect; 
For a better breed there's plenty of space, — 

Its a matter of cause and effect. 



AT THE THEATER. 

(Whispered to escort:) 

M it don't offend your lady friend 
Have her remove that hat — 
Spoils the effect, you may expect. 
Please to remove that hat ; 
Feathers high twixt stage and I, 
bight me to remove that hat ; 
I'd rather die than sit and try — 
O, say, I am tired of that ; 
May be sagacious, but audacious 
If she don't remove that hat — 
Do not expect me to get the effect 
Anything short of that. 
Have only seen twixt feathers green- 
O, thank you, ma'am, for that. 
What helps me to see the fun 
Is also good for the general run, 
So glad you removed that hat. 



90 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



LITTLE HAT TIE. 

A certain little girl I knew 

Bathed her raven locks with dew, 

Arranged them at the rain-barrel 
Fairly well, precise and true. 

Hast'ning thither to the garden, 
Longed to dwell among the flowers, 

The "ideal' to her was real, 
Daily ling'ring there for hours. 

Drinking from the fount of Nature 
Mirrored in the crystal stream, 

Birds and bees were her companions, 
Their sweet philosophy to glean. 

Thus she grew to high attainments 
The most gentle and refined ; 

The inoffensive and defenseless 
She did defend, exceeding kind. 

And thus so well associated 
In her plastic tender years 



CHIMES OF THE WEST QI 

Feels it keenly evil-fated 

Children prisoners kept indoors. 

"Dingy, dirty halls and stairways ; 
Stunted, starved, in trucky towns. 
Cities suitable for children? 

Scarcely more than see the ground." 

Thousands of our dainty tendrills, 
Slightly more than half alive. 

Most pitiful, sallow, slender, of 
Sun and out-door life deprived. 

Get them out into the country, 

Give the little ones a show ; 
Purer air for brain and muscle, 

Let them have a chance to. grow. 

GRADUATION. 

As now we see in these roses, 
Completeness of growth is ended, 

May growth of completeness in you 
Thus begun, be forever extended. 

May thy life be pure and complete 

As these flowers at thy feet. 

Each day better than the last, 

Blessings ever thus to cast. 



92 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



A PICTURE. 

He took the children while at play, 
The afternoon of an April day. 
They did not know that this was done- 
Were taken by surprise at home. 

It was a very pretty thing. 

It seemeth one can hear them sing. 

He even caught their very laugh, 

So true to life the photograph. 

# 

A little group of happy faces. 
And many other pleasant traces — 
Porch and playthings — all are in 
A mirthful group, unknown to sin. 

Heart and life so glad and free, 
Without the slightest mystery. 
Most they know is laugh and song. 
Scarce have even heard of wrong. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 93 

Father, may they be kept as pure, 
Unknown to sin forevermore ; 
The ten commandments all obey, 
Keep growing better every day. 

UNQER MY PLATE. 

'Could I of lovelier mansion he possessed 
Than in their hearts to dmell a welcome guest?" 

"Mamma and baby leave a kiss 

For papa, and a share of bliss. 

Find hot things in the oven 

For your dinner loven. 

When we go out to call 

You see you get them all. 

In this you are the winner 

When we're away to dinner." 

This was found. I looked around. 

No mamma and no baby. 

"Home tonight," 'spose it's all right, 

They've gone to visit maybe. 

Although it's lonesome, they will come 

For sure without them it is not home. 

Plenty to eat and dainty dishes. 

Love and kisses and best wishes, 

Papa found the latter best 

To help to make the meal digest. 



94 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



SANTA CLAUS. 

He brought baby the biggest doll 
About, m all of Denver ; 
Almost half as tall as she, 
Not less than half as slender; 
Dark brown eyes and rosy cheeks. 
Looks so bright as if she speaks. 
All sought her' to befriend her. 
One a brunette, the other a blonde. 
Have become fast friends, very fond 
Of each other, and I am told 
Are chummy and correspond. 
When cither's away an hour or day ; 
Nor ever short on something to say 
'Bout Santa Claus, and other things, 
How blessed Christmas always brings 
Some new and glad surprise — 
Why it is that some disguise 
Makes this world a fairy land 
And children part of Brownies' band, 
Till now it is they realize 
And understand, and estimate 
Something very good and great 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 95 

Takes place every Christmas date 
As well as Eighteen Ninety Eight. 
Thus understood, they then resign 
To await for Christmas Ninety Nine 
As one more link in the fairy chain, 
Fall asleep in the sweet refrain. 



SPOOKS. 

I have heard strange things of "Spooks," 
As yet have never seen them. 
Have seen strange things, and real. 
Of structure strangely slim. 
To speak of "Spooks" it makes me feel 
That if a skeleton should reel 
Right in upon me with a squeal. 
Proverbial dry bones — no meat — 
How my last vestige of conceit — 

^ "^ "^ ^ v^ yfi 

Are you to be a skeleton? 
Mayhap a "Spook;" if so, v^'y then. 
Of the reality in fiction 
Opposing "Spooks" creates a friction. 

(Note — Thirteen lines composed on Friday 
the 13th.) 



96 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



AT THREE. 

I does des lots of fings 
However smart or otherwise, 
Of which I neber mention, 
Sometimes spring a question 
Dat dibs 'em quite surprise. 
Den I pays no attention, 
They fink Fs bery wise 
From all I hear and see. 
'Tis what I do not know 
A little bird tells me. 

Some day I'll be big as sister, 
She is ten years old. 
And den if fings don't suit me 
I will right up and scold. 
Now if I even start to frown 
Mamma and sister call me down. 
Big folks havp a monopoly. 
Some day I will have my way. 
I will be big and have a beau, 
Just like other folks I know. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 97 



A PROPHEL Y. 

Sweet little maiden that I know, 
Lottie Collie, as names do go, 
With pearly teeth as white as snow, 
Complexion pinkish, all aglow ; 
Eyes that sparkle, curls that grow, 
Sweet little maiden that I know. 

Rosy cheeks and dimpled chin. 
Too much laughter to grow thin ; 
Full of mischief, free from folly. 
Sweet little maiden, Lottie Collie. 

Fond of music, birds and flowers. 
Strokes her kitty hours and hours ; 
Horses are pets to her, and such 
Gladly receive her tender touch ; 
Takes good care of "Little Doiiy," 
Sweet little maiden, Lottie Collie. 

Now, after a dozen years gone by. 
So short to her, she's going to try 
To grow more beautiful, pure and sweet, 
Sweet little maid I chanced to meet. 



g8 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



OUR BABY. 

"All kin' o' smiley roun' the lips, 
An' teary roun' the lashes." 

Darling blue-eyed, laughing baby, 

With rosy dimpled cheeks. 
What else is half so cunning 

As baby when she speaks. 
Tries to say most ebery fing, 

Tries to make her dolly sing ; 
Tries to bother papa 

When he wants to write. 
He can scarce resist her, 

With face and eyes so bright, 
Yet he sometimes puts her out, 

Then there's sure to be a pout. 
Mamma smiles at ways so simple. 

Baby laughs and deeper dimple 
Comes in rosy cheeks — a wimple 
. Only two years old, 

Older hearts may hold. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 99 



BABY IS GONE. 

Now she is sleeping with the quiet dead, 

The cherished one, 
Cut off in health, the short life fled 

In verdant bloom. 
Fair, happy, bright, in beauty clad, 

Now gone to rest. 
Well may Old Mother Earth be glad. 

Can it be best? 

Our hearts are swelling, bursting now 

And crushed to bleed. 
O, how we mourn our little darlings. 

Life forever fled. 
Her playthings scattered on the floor 

While she is gone 
And will be seen with them no more, 

Dear little one ! 

The lovely walks among the trees 

Are silent now 
That the cold death dew has gathered 

On her brow. 

rLofc/ 



100 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

The sweet and golden ringlet curls 

Upon her head 
Do deck the darkness of the colnn. 

Of the dead. 

Tenderly now we bury her beneath 

The tree she loved, 
Close by the very path and flowers 

Where oft she roved. 
The branches of the beauteous fir tree 

Still will wave 
In lone and solemn stillness, hereafter 

O'er her grave. 

Good-by dear, gentle, lovely, little one, 

'Tis hard to sever 
The sacred bonds of love, and bid 

Good-by, forever. 

WELCOME DEATH. 

The night bird calls me now again ; 
I welcome death ; list the refrain : 
"Late, late, so late; come in, come in." 

Much that was promised, I could not do, 
But now am called and I must go. 
"Come in, come in ; late, late, so late." 



CHIMES OF THE WEST lOI 



LITTLE FLORA. 

TO THE BEREAVED PARENTS. 

"Life's moments seem like clustered stones, 
The happy shine in brightest tears. 
And then to make them brighter still 
The sad, between the diamonds fill 
Their space with gloom." 

There is music in a step. 
There is sunshine in a face. 

There is beauty in a growth 
That science cannot trace. 

Recollections, Oh how sweet ! 
Of the sound of little feet 
Tripping lightly on the fioor 
(We shall hear them now no more). 

So great blessing in this life 

Can another realize — 
God in heaven Thy will be done. 

Do thou safely guard our prize. 



102 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



A MOTHER'S DREAM. 

I saw a child in the muddy street 

Let fall a tear as it stopped to greet 

A haughty man with a plea for bread. 

'Twas a faint appeal, but the stranger said : 

"My child, your grief is dire and deep, 

But mine is so wild, I cannot weep." 

Is it all in a dream? My pulse throbs slow — 
My heart is chilled and the fire burns low. 
I walked in a garden, a garden fair ; 
I gathered the sweetest flower there — • 
Is it so? 

I made it a bower, it lighted the room ; 
I loved it, my heart forgot all its gloom 
And the moments passed like a fair spring day 
With its singing birds, when the flowers of May 
Bud and bloom. 

Does Time keep a book? Let him turn to the line 
Where my flower bloomed, a flower divine. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST IO3 

Says the book of Time, and it comes from above, 
To bring only one message, the message of love — 
Love divine. 

My message — no, not for me alone. 
For the world is wide and the great unknown 
Has a care over all in his love for me — 
I am only taught what the world may see 
But not own. 

For the love of my babe as it laughed on my breast 
Binds the earth to the sky and the east to west ; 
Binds the bird to its nest and the land to the sea, 
And my children who live binds them closer to me 
Heaven blest. 

Time close up the book, though your stay is brief. 
In the love of my God must these tears find relief. 



104 . CHIMES OF THE WEST 



WAITING FOR JESSIE. 

Jessie, dear Jessie, on the Capitol steps, 
I'm waiting for thee this glorious morn. 
Nature is teeming with verdure and beauty. 
The mountains loom up, the city adorn. 

A scene such as this suggestive of heaven, 
Surpassingly fair, how the blendings excel, 
Landscape spreading forth, the steeples point sky- 
ward 
Proclaiming conditions that words cannot tell. 

Fair Denver is nestling luxuriant in valley. 
The Cherry and Platte are wending their way; 
The song birds put forth their happiest chorus,. 
The American flag waves most gloriously. 

Now you suggest I'm inclined to be clanish. 
May this superb view inspire you betimes 
And bear you in mind, the muses all vanished 
When you did appear, dispelling my rhymes. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST IO5 



'OH, SAY, 'ISN'T IN IT.' 

" Come off the dump, 
Any old thing, 
You'll have to hurry, 
That's got the ring. 

She is a Lulu 
Shootin' the shoots, 

Pretty as a speckled pup, 
You bet your boots. 

StucK on your shape ; 

Well, I like that, 
Felt like thirty cents — 

Where'd you get that hat? 

Wouldn't that jar you? 

Well, I should smile ; 
Get there all the same, 

Arter a while. 

How do you stack up ? 
Well, I guess yes, 



I06 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

VVho's adoin' this 
And Good-by, Sis. 

Get a hump on yourself 
And bug house begory, 
"You'll have to show me" 
Another — dictionary. 



CLIMATE AND HEALTH. 

I came to Colorado 

A skeleton walking ghost, 
And Oh, what music it v/as to me 

To hear others of health to boast : 
"I gained ten pounds the first three months, 

Next twelve months twenty more." 
My medicine "got left" on the shelf, 

A "thing of the past" drug store. 
And now I enjoy good health again 

Like many another with only one lung. 

"The sky was clear, 

The air pure and bracing. 

Dry and light. 

It was a soothing experience 

Inhaling health." 



CHIMES OF THE WEST IO7 



LEADVILLE. 

Historic "City of the Clouds," 

Gold excels and snow enshrouds ; 

Almost two miles above sea level, 

Where it snows to beat the devil, 

Yellow stuff is stored, — so much 

Men most go wild to be in k)uch. 

Don't stop for weather or anything, 

Drills and picks make the welkin ring, 

Smoke stacks and smelters by the acre, 

No place more favored of the Maker. 

Where faithful prospectors had roamed, 

Some scores of miles are honeycombed. 

Shafts and tunnels everywhere, 

Who fail "its neither here nor there," 

For lab'ring hard year after year 

Goes bravely on and never fear 

Mining underground or over; 

(Who makes a "strike" is in the clover.) 

Some lease and bond for thousands many. 

Who climbed the hill without a penny; 

Several Strattons in the state. 

This camp is well up on the slate, 



I08 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

The least successful feel so good, 
The miner's master of his mood. 
"For gold is where it's found" they say, 
And here's a camp that's come to stay. 



IHE VOICE OF LOVE. 

A sweet little bird on neighboring tree, 

In plaintive tones did say to me : 

"The birds are often sad 

As well as the human family. 

Cause to mourn, my heart doeth break 

For the sacrifice this day I make ; 

A ruthless boy so wickedly 

Robbed me of that most dear to me — 

The tiny nest I have guarded well, 

A victim to the slayer fell ; 

And contents for which I would die 

My heart is breaking, M}^ Oh, My!" 



CHIMES OF THE WEST lOQ 



CANON CITY. 

I sat on the banks of a river 

Composing a bit of verse, 

Thought how cities might be better, 

How others might be worse. 

On the banks of Old Arkansas 

In Canon City or quite, 

A river for centuries running 

So swiftly, day and night, 

Dear old historic Arkansaw 

And Canon City so fair, 

With privileges most marvelous 

Most salubrious bracing air. 

Sweet breath of the Royal Gorge, 

Nine-tenths of the time, bright sun, 

So exceptional advantages 

Over cities, of almost none, where 

No water leaping, bounding by 

Pure crystal at command, 

No orchard, acres miles and miles 

No broad and fertile land. 

No coal, no smelters, home-grown fruits. 

No beauteous blending snowy peaks, 



no CHIMES OF THE WEST 

No gorgeous mountains all around, 

No one who knows whereof he speaks, 

No better health resort is found, 

No sparkling springs of mineral. 

No climate half so equable, 

No just a mile above the sea, 

No air of utmost purity, 

No Switzerland Italian sky 

No such appeal to poetry ; 

No hustling railroads, two or three. 

No others that are soon to be ; 

No one knows the reason why 

No contrasts, but attract the eye, 

'Twas God who said, "let there be light,' 

I say, Old Canon, you'r all right. 



NEATNESS. 

The birds surpass all human neatness. 
Their toilet shows exact completeness. 
Each day they take their bath. 
Give time to toilet more by half 
Than the average person, day or night, 
Hence look so clean and neat and bright. 
Practice secrets of beauty and health. 
Possess and enjoy the truest wealth. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST III 



SUPERSTITIONS. 

Human thought creates what it imagines, the 
phantoms of superstition project their real de- 
formity, and live by the very terrors they produce. 
They owe their being to the delusions of imag- 
ingation, and to the aberration of the senses, and 
are never produced in the presence of any one 
who knows and can expose the mystery of their 
monstrous birth. 

See Thomas J. Hudson's "Law of Psychic 
Phenomena," page 291. 

Also the day of our own Gotten Mathers, the 
witch-killer is still fresh in memory. 

Horseshoe and rabbit's foot, 
Thirteen and Friday; 
"Sure thing," failure or success 
More than you have an idea. 
When you start do not go back ; 
Courage you will never lack. 
Sleep to Northward with your head, 
Don't put your hat upon the bed. 
All fixed rules and necessary. 



112 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Dare not, diverge or vary. 
Raise umbrella in the house 
Some say is ominous ; 
Out of doors, "Well. I guess yes/ 
; To raise your Ebinezcr worse. 



WILL O' IHE WISP. 

Freak or friction, 
Fact or fiction, 

Will or Will o' the Wisp. 
In the damp and in ,the dark 

Mystically whisp. 

Blueish, purpleish and streakish, 
So phantastically freakish, 

Suggestive of a light. 
Will-o-Willy tell me 

Is this not right? 



CHIMES OF THE WEST II3 



MADNESS. 

Whom the gods would quite destroy 
'Tis said "they first make mad." 

Suppose it's so, I do not know ; 
First heard it when a lad. 

I never caught them in the act 
Though it's supposed to be a fact. 

I do not understand the meaning 
Of many of the larger sayings ; 

But I have stood where madness had 
To do with some awful slayings. 

In other cases much more mild, 

When persons unsophistic 
Have said to me (my blood has biled) 

That I was egotistic. 

The gods mayhap were in the skies. 
My madness it was ample ; 

One holds one's temper if he tries 
Or sets a bad example. 



114 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



CURIOSITY. 

All of the curious people 

Are requested to convene 
At some sequestered spot 

Not always on the green. 
Say church in consequence 

To see and be seen, 
Now add your name upon the list 

And every other listener, 
And think of the unnatural twist 

In the neck of some good sister. 

MEDITATIONS OF SPRING. 

I am in love with the birds and flowers, 

And I feast my soul on them for hours. 

A night bird sweetly sings in the dark, 

Then with the dawn, the trill or the lark 

Greets me with its joyous strain 

As itjeads the others in glad refrain; 

Blend with the flowers in plumage gay, 

Lasting good cheer, in their melody. 

All rejoicing April showers, 

One may drink deep, ye heavenly powers. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 115 



HOTEL EXPERIENCE. 

Some guy has just meandered 

Past my door ; 
Time — something after one A. M., 

Two, three, four. 

Forty people, sound asleep, 
All up and down the hall 

Awakened by the pond'rous tread. 
Astonished one and all. 

Inserts his self-importance 

In every step he takes ; 
Some ill-bred, uncouth fellow. 

Tell by the fuss he makes. 

Had heard some awful snoring. 
The plastern almost break; 

Someone, we held, was fast asleep, 
Not held — for his mistakes. 

Whose snoring was spontaneous, 
Spasmodic else combusting — 

As by one voice it was agreed 
Said guy was most disgusting. 



Il6 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



SONG AND DANCE. 

"He loves to dock the smaller parts of speech 
As we curtail the already curtailed cur." 

Contrasting of the rninute, with the minuet, 
Difference is greater than first was thought. 

The U-t-e's an Indian, as seen at a glance. 
Aforesaid minuet, a slow, graceful dance. 

Sixty seconds make a minute — 

May be Indians either sex, 
When they die will go to heaven — 

Only proper to expect. 

A still more striking treatise '. 

Of similar dissimilarities. 
Is the relation Indians bear 

To^ some historic treaties. 

A channel wide, seems to divide 

The wise from otherwise ; 
The one keeps out of trouble, 

The other always seeing double. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 117 

Then what is meant by monument? 
Also what by development? 
Or that a man a "grafter" is 
So long as minus good intent. 

Too ! there's the case of rain and reign, 
One comes easy, and the other — hard. 

But rulers can't produce a rainbow 
With crown elated, envious of the Lord. 

The vaguest vagaries ever yet 

Rest between "mun" and funny ; 
Who can enjoy the minuet 

One minute without money? 

FROM FACT. 

'Bout five every mornin' 

There's a rigler pit-a-pat 
'Thout the slightest warning. 

No more sleep arter that. 
Perchance sink into semi-doze, 
Straightway get a punch on nose 
Whatever else as comes and goes, 
May escape a gouge in eyes. 
Unintentional, or otherwise. 
Nor any longer a new beginner 
To trundle bed, you little sinner. 



Il8 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



THE BICYCLE BUSTER. 

Bicycle comin' down the street, 
Me "on the side," she in the seat, 
Seemingly steering for the moon 
Strikes a lamp post, ah ! too soon. 

The thing seemed fairly possessed 
I say, entirely bent on running away 
With the prettiest girl in town. 
First she'd laugh, then would frown. 
And then she would stamp and yowl 
When the umpire called a foul. 

Now, here's to your wagon, 

And here's to your sled, 
And to a train of cars. 

That girl kept at it — 
I was half dead — 

We wrestled that wheel for hours. 

No snail ever made a butterfly — 

It takes a stickler to win — 

Said she : "I'll learn to ride or die, 

For I started at it to win." 

And win she did — with a capital D — 

Now they swear, could climb a tree. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST II9 



BROKEN ENGAGEMENTS. 

There is many a man in the world 
Who cares not a mite for his word. 
Is it you? If it is wear the shoe. 
Do not think you're a liberty bird, 
Always free to go back on your word. 

Somebody was waiting for you 
To keep the engagement you broke. 

You have sinned by wasting their time ; 
You meant it not when you spoke. 

Somebody had better take care ; 

It makes one so badly appear, 

Breaking promises faster than boys 

Were ever known to break toys. 

Nor is there a factory mending integrity, 

I will give you a pointer, my friend, 
That I think it might help to send 
You right straight to hell, 
For you know very well 



1 20 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

That bad faith will tell, in the end, 
If you promised what you didn't intend. 

* * * 3r * 

There is yet a moral standard, 
All men are not depraved. 

You are not beyond redemption — 
Call a halt and you are saved. 



THE CIRCUS. 

How everybody stretched their necks 

To see the caliope. 
One hopes to see what one expects 

And realize his hope ; 
Except the horses, though, I trow 

That so stood on tiptoe. 

The circus may be a good thing, 
But makes the hostler cuss. 

Or she — or sir — cir-cus — the fuss 
The driver made 

Eclipsed the caliope 
And left it in the shade. 



CHIMES OF T H E WEST 121 



THE BATH. 

The Legislature should pass a law 

Relating to the landlord 
Who builds a house without a flaw, 

The bath to have reward. 

A penalty to be imposed 

Upon the person whom, 
And not permit it occupied 

In absence of such room. 

If "cleanliness is Godliness," 

Or next to it or quite, 
Bless the landlord when he builds 

For doing it just right. 

Cursed be the Legislature 

Not passing such a law, 
That "hot" and "cold" and porcelain 

Must be the line to draw. 

Cursed be the whole community 
Who tolerates the man 



122 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Short of a scalding twice a week, 
Is "no good" citizen. 

And blessed be the towels and soap 
Thrice blessed they that make them. 

The dolt will take the hint, I hope. 
If not, why not? and then some. 



I would rather be clean 
Than congressman. 



YOU'RE ANOTHER. 

"No news is good news," 
Another good old saying ; 
Were you ever short on news 
Discounted in the weighing? 
Incongruous paradox. 
Systematic, sly old fox. 
Notwithstanding, although, but. 
Nevertheless but thusly. 
No "noos" is too good news 
For the average nuisance. 
Let the old saying say. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 123 



THE BLOOMER FARM. 
(Proposal Extraordinary.) 

Dr. Mary ! Dr. Mary ! 

I would like to own a farm, 
Just across the fence from yours, 

And see the constant swarm 
Of bonnie, bucksom maidens 

In bloomers or in tights, 
As in and out of doors 

They are putting things to rights. 

Chorus: 

Oh, Bloomers in the furrow, 

Bloomers on the milking stool ; 
Only mention the tomorrow 

When you'll have to have a school. 
O, Bloomers in the furrow, 

Bloomers on the milking stool ; 
You will never have a school 

For the children. 

Dr. Mary! Dr. Mary! 

Are you in too big a hurry 



124 CHIMES OF THE Wi;ST 

To perpetuate your lineage 
For the future generation? 

Is the latch string never out, 
If a man should come about? 

Is your's to be the universal station ? 

Chorus : 

Dr. Mary! Dr. Mary! 

Were the women all so very, 

Are you having any trouble 

Getting converts to your school ? 

Of the thoroughly mature. 

Are you always certain sure? 

Tell us how you work it, as a rule. 

Chorus : 

Dr. Mary! Dr. Mary! 

If you'll take me in cahoots 
I will agree to furnish 

Every single pair of boots 
Just to get the combination. 

Have you any hesitation? 
Would you listen to a suitor if he suits? 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 125 



WHAT ARE LEGS FOR? 

"O, it was pitiful! In a whole city full 
Legs there were none." 

Most legs are over a yard in length, 
Depend on how much used for strength. 
Some legs become as a slender stem, 
Would seem the owner had deserted them. 
Of legs some are never heard to speak. 
Nor ever walk, they have grown so weak. 
Instead they sit or ride the while 
Since walkings gone so out of style. 
Know then thyself of laziness great, 
Else the human race will degenerate. 

Of animals wearing the boot or shoe, 
Nineteen hundred and two 
Thousand so like to put on style, 
Are never known to walk a mile. 
Some are poor and some are wealthy — 
Nay, all are poor, for not so healthy 
{Who think too much of foot or face 
Become a curse to the human race.) 



126 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Those who lounge and puff and blow 
Dread distance of one stone's throw. 
Always ride, and pay their money, 
Declare that walking's "not so funny." 
Some try to walk and then complain : 
"O, dear, it always gives me pain, 
No matter if walking's my best friend. 
O, dear, I can't ! I'll try and send." 
Some, however, not that way, 
Have walked forty miles a day. 
Question ? Not the like of you. 
It simply shows what legs can do. 
Who walk the most for pleasure 
Know best their health to treasure. 



Some there are who walk for hours 
Searching fairest wild wood flowers. 
Learn to know each crevice and nook, 
The shining pebbles in rippling brook; 
Carpets of mosses and where they grow. 
What deep, thick shade ; they always know 
The sweetest breath of purest breeze, 
Songs the birds sing, bushes and trees. 
Gathering the leaves and bright bouquets 
Adorn their rooms in delightful ways. 
(3n each return after strolls they take 
Whose ruddy cheeks none can mistake. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 127 



FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND. 

(In Chicago.) 

Something got the matter of me, 
Or how or when or which 
Is not the burden of my speech. 
(Grandmother called it a stitch) 
Such an awful pain in my side 
Drew me down, couldn't walk or ride. 
Called on my faithful physician, 

Without him I could not live ; 
He sized me up, felt of my pulse, 

A prescription at once did give. 
The foregoing was the number. 

As strange as it may seem, 
Somethin' wrong with that many — 

The druggist's face was agleam. 

O, that health were contagious 
Betimes instead of disease. 

But hold ! I fear I am taking cold ; 
Am already beginning to sneeze. 



128 C H I LI i£ S OF THE WEST 



PALLIDA MOSS. 

(Pale Death.) 

"There on the green enamel plain 

Were shown me the great spirits, 

By whose sight I am exalted, in my high esteem. 

The place is all thick spread, with sepulcher, 

And none o'er them keep watch ; 

So may thy lineage find at last repose 

When on futurity the portals close." 

The plains far out in the golden west 
Are strewn with bones of man or beast 
Gone out to die where the sun goes down, 
Nor yet forgotten in native town. 
There bare and bleached by wind and sun 
They lie together, their course is run. 
Have had their feasts, their day is done. 
The skulls are white as driven snow, 
The^teeth are set that none may know 
From whence they came or whither go ; 
Yet there they lie and seem content. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 129 

Perchance on gold they all were bent; 

What matters it today, tomorrow, 

Or victims of old age or sorrow. 

The chase or red man's skillful arrow, 

(What matters it if bones are bare?) 

Though shuffled off this mortal coil 

They still are found on top of soil. 

No narrow grave, they have all space, 

And nary tombstone to misplace, 

Or chiseled scroll e'er to deface. 

Nor limit merely to one race — 

Alike embrace them one and all, 

However great, however small. 

It is not so in cemetery — 

I have not found it so — not very. 

Yet many's the man that's died out alone, 

Many's the smooth and bleaching bone. 

Nor smile, or frown, on a skull is shown — 

Many long since dead have never worried, 

'Bout how or where or whither buried, 

With nothing to show, or glad or sorry; 

Then why, O why should a person worry? 

I thought to myself while taking note, 
I'd as soon be a supper for the wild coyote ; 
The bear or badger or this or that. 
As thrown overboard to the finny cat. 



I30 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



A LIVING LADDER. 

A wealthy old farmer named Hackney 
Had some very fine stock, known as the donkey. 
(This is a true story though ne'er beforenarrated) 
His boys had a ladder 'n which th' blood circu- 
lated, 
Of tough and withy timber, flexible and limber, 
"Unknown to any tools," the boys used to say. 
In case of thirst or hunger, 'n anything that way, 
Would always make it known by a solitary bray : 
"Aw-he-aw-he-aw-h-e-awhe-aawhee-eahwate." 

Nor was there another ladder of half so many 

rounds 
Being stationed on a farm — it'd help t' plow th' 

grounds. 
This ladder was an-animal — iron gra' mu-le. 
The boys 'd come a-riden oft'n on its back' t' 

school, 
*Nd thar 't loved t' stay 'n the range th' live-long 

,day 
As a source of great amusement for th' boys 'n 

girls t' play. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST I3I 

An unusual convenience t' have you'll shortly see 

In the way of two large bumps 

On one-e-hine k-n-e-e — 

One just above, one just below; 

And the g-i-r-1-s and bo-ys 'd mount just so 

The mule was gentle 'n ofif it went ; 

And two could ride 'thout a-c-e-n-t 

So the whole school on pleasure bent 

De-clar-ed the bu-mp-s an ornament. 



ON TO TEA. 

True it has grown a little late; 
But we shall soon re-sip-ro-Kate 
And not be too pre-sip-at-eight 
By over eating while we weight 
Our stomachs with "such as there is" 
Helping ourselves, but know our "biz," 
Nor let them serve us e'en too hard 
By pressing the preserves with lard ; 
As it has grown a little late 
Others have dreamed for what they ate 
At ten or twelve and even later. 
Not sparing servant and the weighter. 



132 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



CONTORTIONISTS. 

There were three terrible tumblers 

If terrible tumblers be, 

A man and his wife and daughter 

For they were tumblers three. 

The father would toss the girly 

High up in the air, 

And how gracefully she 

Would whirl and spin, 

Light on her feet time and again 

It was wonderful to see. 

Claimed she could board a moving train 

Or catch a bird on the wing, 

And to help take in the pennies 

Never forgot how to sing. 

(She sings.) 
A humble enterprise for me 
To spin and whirl like this for thee 
My work is one of charity 
To show you all how stifif you be 
You r-egard me rather rompish 
But the more you could accomplish 
If you were built that way; 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 133 

For if shaped and formed 

As good as the best 

Each part is as nimble as the rest. 

O, I'm a little daisy, 

Too limber to be lazy, 

There are no flies on me. 

(Turns to parents and sings:) 
Since tumbling is our stock in store 
Then we will tumble all the more. 

(All tumble.) 
Their tongues were not more limber 
Than their joints you could not see 
But surely if they had them 
They all unlocked with a key ; 
It was always worth a quarter 
Their tumbling for to see 
And by economy and contortion 
They tumbled onto a fortune. 



1.34 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



THE SLANDERER 

"At Princes — let but satan raise his gun 
I'he more the feathers fly, the more's the fun 
E'en the whole world — blockheads and men of 

letters — 
Enjoy a canonade upon their betters." 
There are women and men, and men and women 
Like poisonous vipers,- and-v-i-1-e, with venom : 
The devil's own angels — as it were — with wings 
And they grovel along like slimey things ; 
From house to house, from town to town, — 
To get in their work, they're all around. 
They need no cause, they seek no gain 
But the satisfaction of their disdain : 
Of some innocent person, however pure. 
They talk with certainty, always sure 
As to the time their neighbor fell ; 
Are always on hand, direct from hell ; 
Keep place and time in a foul note-book 
Are readily known by-their-v-e-r-y-look : 
Crook -their noses and crane their necks 
Swear to lies looking over their specs. 
In human form are these men and women — 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 135 

Though much of their speech is most inhuman — 
So fiery their tongues-the-furious-tools 
Whoever escapes them-escapes-the-rule. 
Can carry both sides of the conversation 
Not lose their breath in the vile naration. 
To one man saved by the slanderous tongue 
A thousand are lost, and their work goes on. 
''Ye gods — deliver the world from such — 
Explode the slanderer with magic touch." 



THE SKEPTIC. 

Is one who ever disbelieves, 

Keeps the trumps all up his sleeves. 
Goes about in constant doubt, 

Thinks to put the truth to rout, 
Till finally he narrows down 

Features focused with a frown. 
Shrivels up, so far near-sighted 

Everything must needs be righted. 
No opinions but his own 

Builds about him walls of stone. 
Short in optimistic vision. 

His long suit is derision. 
Poor fellow ! Let him have his say, 

The ice he cuts will melt some day. 



136 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



DASHING YOUNG MEN. 

These are the fellows, not all fun 
The mighty men who made the run 
Fetched the multitude to their feet, 
Bent them forward to see which beat 
Through the grand stand. 

Ponderous engines of silver and gold 
Fearless firemen so brave and bold, 
Hardened against both heat and cold 
A fearless dash, less time than told 
Through the grand stand. 

Twenty feet to the jump, or more 
Shook the pillars, as never before : 
Fiery steeds 'most burst their girth ; 
Cyclone fashion, tore up the earth 
Through the grand stand. 

Of suclr an affair, who ever heard 
So purely original ; well officered, 
No circus run nor chariot race 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 137 

Could compare with such a pace 
Through the grand stand. 

Bouquets are in order, ye maidens fair ; 
This Fire Department always "gets there." 
Whatever of modesty, and manly grace 
In your heart of hearts, would prize a place 
Make a grand stand. 

(Colorado Springs Carnival.) 



CHARIVARI. 

Old Jimmie Todd and Leedy Maud — 
Young wifey Maudy Lee — were 
Recently married by Parson Grave. 
Boys came on, a horrible stave, 
And gave them a charivari. 
Bells and buckets, old pans and gun, 
The boys were doing it only for fun, 
Some cake, and a bride to see. 
When she came on them from the rear, 
Thinking to give a little scare, 
Possessing no sort of weapon — 
Simply waving her apron — 
It proved to be all she needed. 
For promptly the mob stampeded. 



138 CHIMES O F THE WEST 



ON JERRY'S REFORM. 

Never resolve more worthy 
Then Jerry Solemoii'.s oath 

To never again taste whisky 

Has pledged his faith and troth. 

Never was man more deserving 
When he, oui* mutual friend, 

Commands the respect of every one, 
And we, our sympathy, lend. 

Please accept this little token 
As a guarantee of our love. 

That your pledge remains unbroken, 
And strength for your noble resolve. 



CHIMES OF T II Fi' \V EST 139 



BESSIE MILLER. 

(A Brilliant Young Indiana Journalist.) 

Garde, garde, all the luggers cry. 
Mind that lower curve there ; 
Keep a steady nerve there; 
Down, down, between the lake and sky, 
Lugging on the Rio Grande. 

Deeper the depths and dizzier the heights, 

And all the grandest scenery, 
It is when Bessie Miller w^rites 

That you will see what you will see. 

The canyon walls are yawning overhead. 
Coming together, far up toward the sky; 

Straining the very telescope, 'tis said; 
They notice this, on casual passing by. 

And now far down the rushing rivers blend, 
Scarce seen above the fearful rocky steep, 

While strains of smothered melody ascend. 
As of the rainbow's ghost you catch a peep. 



140 C H I M K S OF T HE WEST 

Sudden the train is rounding some short curve ; 

Nothing but empty space, for miles beneath ; 
If it had been made, the slightest swerve 

Would have amounted to an awful death. 

The canyons teemed with fragrant flowers, 
Vast mountam sides were decked out, too, 

'Bove timber-line, for several hours — 
What is it "magic pencil" may'st not do? 

Journalist, poet, deft in prose and verse. 
Painter of pen-pictures oi uncommon mien, 

Space forbids the half here to rehearse — 
The like of thou I ne'er before have seen. 

It does one good to sit in the old arm-chair, 
And fairly feel the bracing mountain breeze. 

Breathless at scanning each pen-picture fair, 
Reading about what Bessie Miller sees. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST I4I 



ON THE TRAIN. 

Seven coaches and on an excursion 

Going around the Loop. 
All sorts of people, old and young, 

All together, they raise a whoop 
And yell on the least excuse, 

And all changed cars pell-mell. 

To a spectator it seems so tunny 

How people will lose their heads, 
Forget all manners, and go a runny 

And substitute insteads — on the train. 

IMPRESSIONS. 

Am well impressed with the fondness for flow- 
ers I find wherever I go ; 

The greatest profusion, fragrant and bright, 
varieties I do not know. 

A splendid ettect it has on me to have a bouquet, 
where I can see. 



142 CHIMES OF THE, WEST 

BEHAVIOR. 

All stared at a beautiful gi-1 
With dimpled chin and flufty curl, 
Shapely features, dress so line. 
Hips and shoulders in perfect line. 

Looked like a flower in some bouquet. 
Behaved so well the folks did say : 
"That girl s been away from home before, 
Should be allowed to go some more." 

CROONING. 

A bit of "crooing" on the train, 

Or spooning, as you may say. 
Attracts attention, also gains 
Notoriety 

For the lovers who make love on the train, 
Who from making love cannot refrain. 

VERY NAUGHTY. 

A sweet little child so pretty and bright. 
Whose manners disgraced her mother ; 

Apologized for "as not sleeping last night," 
Was 'nervous, and that was the bother, 

Tho' ever so pretty and daintily dressed 

She needed a spanking, as many confessed. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 143 

Not perfect, even in mother's eyes, 
What she may do next, have no surprise. 

SEATS. 

She had paid for one and taken two. 

He had paid for two, was holding three; 

They had paid for three — held more than four. 

In principle would have taken more. 

One case, a lady whose little child 

Stood bold on a seat as people filed 

Along the aisle, said lady scringe 

Rather assumed that none should infringe 

Or so much as touch the hem of her dress — 

Would like to have the earth, I guess ; 

For old ladies stood and leaned so long, 

And old men, too, (who thought it wrong), 

Till the "hold ups" reached a certain station 

All were glad they had some destination. 

MORAL. 

You may beat the railroad fifty per cent, 
Hold down seats — not pay the rent — 
But like as not the time will come 
You'll learn manners not taught at home. 



144 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



CHRISTMAS TIDINGS. 

Peace on earth, good will to men 
Is the song we join in singing. 

Let all be happy while we can, 
The Christmas bells are ringing ; 

Hearts so light and glad and free 

Join in common sympathy. 

Joy to the world's the song we'll smg 

While the Christmas bells are ringing. 

The greatest blessing this day sends 

Is our true and trusted friend ; 

And He who closer than a brother 

Comes today than any other. 

Faithfully His presence lends. 

Praise Him for the Christmastide. 

In His love we will abide. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 145 



LITERATURE. 

Who hath traversed the field of literature 
But caught some inspiration there, 

What glorious grandeur, crystal pure ! 
What flower garden half so fair? 

The blessings of exalted thought, 
By reason reared and logic wrought, 
In chapter, page or paragraph, 
Is scarcely realized, by half. 

Shelves all laden ; fiction, fact, 

Portrayal of the beautiful. 
In daintiest diction, clever tact 

Oft times so vivid, more than real. 

Hall Caine, Corelli, Davis, Kipling 
And others make the welkin ring ; 
Respectively their message bring 
By wondrous power of caroling. 



146 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

■ The pessimist who, in his prime 
Criticizes all the time, 
Says worthy work's on the decline, 
A purpose serves to draw the line. 

Whose prophecy, or false or true. 
Our books and magazines will do ; 
Nor creatures limited by fate 
For being written recent date. 



THE , PESSIMIST. 

The pessimist is one who can 

Close his heart up like a clam ; 
Slam the door of his affections 

With the force of battering ram ; 
Wound all others, till himself 

Lies neglected on the shelf. 
And, finally, festers, petrifies, 
■ Goes out by himself and dies. 
Then the weeds grow on his grave ; 

Briers, burs, and thistles ; 
There he nestles in sequestered spot 

Brave heart, before he dies, begins to rot. 
Not taking on life-giving forces 

The tree must fall and go to pieces. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST I47 



POETS' AND AUTHORS' CLUB. 

Thou Poets' and Authors' Club, 

By title greatly dignified, 

Thy members well do love thee 

For thy unvarnished side. 

No special ostentation, 

'Tis only just to be 

A part of thy existence — 

Perchance of history. 

For all of Colorado '' 

And of our better selves, 

Something is said of scenery, 

So much of it on the shelves. 

The aesthetic side's essential 

So surely as is commerce 

Now have settled on a place 

For only prose and verse, 

Where members are allowed to write 

Their sentiments in black and white. 



148 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



LIGHT READING. 

I love to linger a little while 
Now and again with levity ; 
With literature of lighter vein 
About ten times in seventy ; 
The happier sets my heart right, 
The literature, a little light, 
Contributes to a lighter mood ; 
Light lighter, lightest's good. 



THE MILLS OF THE GODS. 

'The mills of the gods grind slow, 

But they grind exceeding fine." 
We will suppose a case to know — 

First, form into a line, 
Then comes "the devil for us all" 

Without exception — great or small. 
The Protestant, so penitent. 

May go below, brimstone to scent. 
For sure the sinner's got to suffer 

Mills, in the mind of some old duffer. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 149 



TIME TO PLANT. 

"All the trees are in the leaf, 
All the grain is in the sheaf; 
Fire and frost, heat and snoiv, 
The seasons come and the seasons go; 
Buds bloom green, and leaves fall sure, 
All in the round of the perfect year." 

I dreamed a dream a night ago 

And as to facts, thought it was so. 

The trees that seemed so bare and dead 

That night before I went to bed 

Were all leafed out ('twas in my head). 

Said Neighbor Jones to Johnny Stout: 

'The farmers all must have the gout, 

Or some of them would have been out 

Before the leaves, without a doubt." 

The leaves that tell us when 'tis time 

To plant the corn in every clime. 

''Yes," Stout replied, "it's e-fen so; 

Go tell the rest that they may know 

Today I'll haul my wood, and chore, 

Tomorrow start a furrow sure." 



150 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

There needs but little more be said ; 
The farmers raise our daily bread ; 
For times of planting and of sowing 
There are none others half so knowing. 
Flowers will bloom the birds will sing ; 
There is a time for everything. 
Although there were no leaves growing, 
What one will dream, there is no knowing. 



CECELIA ON A BIRTHDAY. 

Less than one-third of the allotted three score 

years and ten hath passed away, 
Leaving sweet memories, many the sunny, hap- 
py day; 
True friends hath thou and buoyant health, 

commanding presence, nature's wealth ; 
Joyous and beautiful, fair of form and feature, 
Gentle in temperament, tender to every creature; 
Abundant blessings, inherent love of truth. 
Well seasoned judgment — considering thy youth — 
Keen sense of honor, prize the good and true, 
Useful life and happiness, in greatest store for 
-you. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST I5I 



THE "FELLOW" ACROSS THE WAY. 

"In her brother s gown, fra-foot-to-crown 
She's as fair as a maid can be." 

Wammes and overalls of blue, 
Clear complexion of rosy hue, 
High top boots, old-fashion, bill cap, 
Nary a dress to trail or flap ; 
Bright blue eyes and tresses golden, 
No braver heart in times of olden ; 
Long yellow hair, well buttoned under, 
(Just as soon tell you to go to thunder) ; 
Pants in boots and cap with bill, 
Her brother's outfit well did fill. 
Quick of step and spry of motion, 
You may consider she had queer notion. 
Though of full age, past twenty-two, 
She had no use for dress or shoe 
Out in the snow — it would not do ; 
Out in the cold with gleaming eye, 
Immense to see her make snow fly. 
Lived on a ranch near a large city. 
Few if any there are more witty. 



1 52 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

They had stock to beat the dickens — 
Horses, cows and ducks and chickens. 
Far, far was she from a shallow pate, 
Said to be a college graduate. 
She had a lover, whose name was Bert — 
Was matter of fact, would never flirt. 
To this same lover she did engage, 
Though surely a character for the stage. 
He was a farmer, with a business eye, 
Whose only fault was rather s-h-y. 
He was the son of an humble peasant 
And took her in for a Christmas present. 

She had a piano and well could play. 
Would ride on horseback, and go-this-way 
Hadn't th' time, to use her side-saddle. 
Would raise the whistle and go a-straddlc, 
In which respect was her own waiter, 
And would holler back : "I'll see you later.' 

BETTER YET. 

That self-same fellow across the way 
Could drive a stallion and brown sulky. 
Hold so stiff the cambric line 
To' well compare with looks so fine. 
A bright red bay, white foot and star. 
Too fat for wrinkles or ribs to show, 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 1 53 

Her ribbons popped on the evening air 
Like the crack of a whip, all might know 
The "fellow" across the way was there. 
However, long was the braid of hair, 
When half way down the slender waist, 
Betokened the "fellow" had excellent taste. 
But better yet the gentleman's cap 
Disguised the sex ; though the ribbons flap 
From the braid the breezes catch. 
Some say she's trying to make a match. 

Til have my drive about three each day. 

No matter what the people say. 

Will set the very track afire. 

For stallions exercise require; 

Show folks there are no flies on me, 

How it is 'to be or not to be.' 

With all the modern kimbal jack. 

And in the latest style, 

'Bout forty rods a furlong, 

And eight furlongs a mile." 



154 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



THE MYSTIC CURVE. 

"Her eyes are blue, 
My heart is too; 
She's out of sight, 
My hopes are, quite." 

Strikes you all unaware 
In ways so light and airy ; 

Her majesty, ye maiden fair, 
Dawns on you like a fairy. 

River that beyond the brink 

Best of swimmers apt to sink. 

'Love is blind," no time to think 
Till tangled in the meshes, 

Reeds and flags where Cupid drags 
The net when maiden fishes. 

Sails in upon such lovely eyes, 
No life preserver saves him. 

Too soon he comes to realize 
The Mystic Curve enslaves him. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 155 

Mystic Curve's a fine spun thread 

That never has been listed ; 
And when it acts upon the head 

The heart gets sadly twisted. 



A VACUUM. 

In taking off a take-off 

The take-off of the takest; 
"Nature abhors a vacuum," 

The thing the taker makest. 
If making of the take-off 

You take off in the making, 
Taking of the make-off 

You make off in the taking. 
The summing of the summer 

Is the summary of the sum, 
Unless the focus crosses 

Across the vacuum. 



156 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



AT THE SEA SHORE. 

Her graceful, shapely form would glide 
Through the water with the tide. 
Superbly smooth and agile of limb 
Shapely and coy, exceptionally trim. 
Not too large nor yet too small, 
Subject for artist and classics all. 
And the wondrous expression 
No language can express, nor how 
Pleasing the impression made 
In her simple bathing dress. 
Till me thought it a disfigurement 
Of so perfect shape and form 
That the usual dry-land dress 
Should disguise so queenly charm. 

She could swim just like a fish, 
Float and dive mile after mile, 

Make the other ladies wish 
That they might adopt her style. 

While the men would stand aghast, 
Hold their breath, the while she passed 
'Not unusual the expression : 
Surely thou art unsurpassed. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 157 



DAISY DELL. 

A dashing, darling daisy, 
To beauty reconciled. 

It drove me almost crazy 
Every time she smiled. 

She had another charmer 
Whom she was gone upon. 

The really greatest beauties 
Hail from "Utopion." 



THE SWAMP ANGEL. 

V 

In taking off an old ''take off," 

The chiefest of the fadest, 
I take my pencil in my hand 

To — land — of all the badest; 
For V-I-Z, the swamp angel, 

I say, "Come off," "So long, old fel" ' 
Give us a rest after a spell. 

However well you know a swamp 
This side of heaven, this side of hell, 

Who ever saw swamp angel ? 



158 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



ODE TO FRIENDSHIP. 

'Who hath scales to weigh the love, 
That from heart to heart doth move?' 

Friendship is the strangest plant 

I ever saw a growing; 
Peeps up twixt the curbstones 

Sich ways as no knowin'. 
Frost bite cannot affect it, 

Lustres with the lapse of time. 
Language is inadequate, 

Can't be put to rhyme. 

Friendship true is foremost, 

Makes a heaven on earth ; 
No true friend is ever lost. 

Friendships have their birth 
From exchange of gleanings, 

Heart to heart and soul to soul, 
Is the sort of screenings. 

Several on the role. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 159 



COQUETRY. 

"I nefer luffed a dear gazelle, 

To cheer me mid ids kindling vood 
Bud yen Td come to knew me veil, 
Some vun pud poison in der food." 

The duck dives under the water 
Till the hunter has gone by. 

The fish floundering over the bank 
Only make the Nimrod more sly. 

The maiden that sets her "trap" 

For the "sucker" on the wing, 
The former the hunter can stand — 

Th6 latter's the meanest thing. 
May rope him in with her singing, 

Then give him the bounce "By jing." 
It's hard enough luck to go huntin' 

And come home with an empty bag ; 
A fellow gits left by his best girl 

And feels worse than a "common wag." 



l60 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



SAW INDIANS. 

"Ah me, how long me seemeth e'er the promised 

help arrived." 
Away back in the fifties and in my younger days 
There were many Indians, who of as many ways 
Caused some to greatly fear for themselves and 

stock 
Out on the frontier — I will tell you of a shock. 
When we were out of meat, would go and kill 

a bear. 
And always leave a treat with our neighbor, 

over there 
Some twenty miles away; could make it in a day; 
'Cept on comin' back th' Redskins would attack. 
In case of no evasion me gun was moral suasion. 
Sixteen was all that I could count. 
'Twas then I thought I'd jump the bount, 
Or first in sight I thought of fllight, but 
They saw my dog and fastly floated on a log 
Then I guaged the distance, and estimated. 
Fired three shots and the battle dated. 
My gim was true for afterwards I found 
It had punched the log and all were drowned. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST l6l 

• 

There were badger holes all over the hill, 
The reds were drowned, tho' not until 
They had shot away the hill and the clay 
And only the holes were left to stay. 



A GREAT SUCCESS. 

I knew a hunter of particular skill 
Who when going out would skulk about. 
Like a mouse-hawk would sharpen its bill 
Or cat its claws — or work its jaws 
That nothing may lack before the attack; 
Sight over his gun, not alone for fun. 
Before the game was found. 
So as to shoot on wing or run. 
Hit somethin' besides the ground. 
He was a' terribly quick on trigger, 
And however small or swift or bigger, 
Or hard it would git, he'd always hit. 
He was a rare exception. 
Most fortunate condition, 
And realized enough, he said 
To buy the ammunition. 



l62 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



A REVERIE. 

When the day is hot and dreary 

And the temperature is high. 
When the heat rnakes one so weary 

And not a cloudlet in the sky, 
The old gray cat a nap will take 

Beneath the shadow ot the flowers 
Scarcely more than half awake, 

While the sun poiirs down for hours. 

When the weather's cold as blazes 

Hies himselt upon the fence 
Where the melodram-e raises 

Seems to savor of suspense ; 
Furs on end and soars his praises 

Falters then in what he says is 
What the oth.ir cats amazes 

Suddenly he takes on hence. 
Now a scrap ensues or sooner 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 163 

Whether loser or the winner, 
Asleep, awake as ain't a sinner 

He will be on time for breakfast 
And lor supper and for dinner 

Just the same. 



WHERE LIETH THE DIFFERENCE. 

Two hunters atter a tramp so long 

Trudging home with different song, 

One sits here and one sits there, 

One hungry as wolf, the other as bear — 

Now these are different anifnals, 

Their difference some have seen. 

How hunters eat like cannibals 

The difference lies between. 

That both were hungry all concede 

So hungry they were hard to feed. 

'Seems hunters always get enough 

Or something of the kind — 

And often are allowed to stuff 

On what they didn't find. 



164 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



BRAGGADOCIO. 

Will tell you a time I wished for a gun 
Just to shoot ducks and have some fun, 
'Way up in Wyoming, on the Elkhorn road 
Out of Valentine ; of hunters a load, 
Thousands of ducks on a single lake. 
We passed on the train a curve to make. 
The railroad officials were heavily armed; 
Firing commenced (the ducks not alarmed). 
Till the ammunition was finally exhausted. 
They bought some ducks ,went home and boasted 
How they could "shoot," how many they saw, 
And the story they told had many a flaw. 



THE OWL. 

The night owl is winging 
His prey home is bringing; 
Frae hen roost, leafless bowers, 
Having taken his leaving 
Just before receiving 
A charge frae shotgun of ours. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 165 



FLORENCE. 

Florence, thy future none can tell, 

With treasure inexhaustible. 

Each acre has an oil well 

For fifteen miles, and then a spell 

Just up the hill, the mineral, 

Just down fuel to fill the bill. 

Nine mills running, night and day. 

Thousands of tons capacity. 

Enormous output of finest coal 

Of promise great, and sure thy goal, 

Five engines busy cutting cars. 

Third in state, of commercial powers. 

More places to be reached by rail 

More inducements to capital 

Insure a bigger "bucket brigade," 

A future such as seldom made. 

Build over three hundred houses a year, 

The place that's growing is one to prefer. 

The biggest little town on earth, 

A dollar for cot or single berth. 

Public spirited pushing men, 

"I'm glad to see you, come again." 



l66 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Home-grown vegetables, chickens, fruit, 
'Fore it's too late, better ''grab a root," 
A boom not all in th' editor's eye. 
Demand will always exceed the supply, 
Florence, old girl, you're sailin' high. 



BE MERCIFUL. 

Here theii my friend, is to final 
Let us try to be earnest a bit 
I greatly regard you every one. 
Am happy here to declare it ; 
Would think all the more of you 
If you cease some things you do. 
And will heed this feeble plea — 
Life is sweet to the game as thee ; 
Those inoffensive, helpless things 
The wounded and the suffering. 
The awful fright the hunters bring 
With gun and dog, to bush and bog 
Pure selfishness, occasioning. 
The useful, beautiful, adorning. 
Do thou consider well, before 
And do thou go and sin no more. 
(To ye hunter.) 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 167 



PUEBLO. 

Pueblo, Pueblo continues to grow, 

Smokestacks and smelters, O ; 

Hotels and tally-ho, 

Mildest winters, seldom snow. 

Blankets, though, the summer though. 

Gateway to the mountains o'er. 

Railroad center, dozen or more, 

Colorado Southern or 

D. & R. G. and Bessemer, 

Great Rock Island, Santa Fe, 

Others mighty apt to be. 

More than likely second best 

Business center in the West. 

Monthly pay roll half a million. 

Corporations, worth a billion. 

Where money circulates 

To the square inch, th' United States. 

Commercially an ebb and flow 

Everybody is on the go, 

Where the governors do grow. 

Other persons may also. 

Say it never rains but pours, 



l68 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Get lost in some of the stores, 
Then you call upon the guide 
To show you how to get outside 
To see the wheels go round, 
And that's the way we found 
■ Things in Ebilo Pueblo. 



WHO SUCCEED. 

Marvel of mystery, majestic mountain range 
Historic peaks, towering above each other, 

Strata upon strata wonderful and strange. 
So men compete — brother excelleth brother. 

Many and uncertain weary days and years 
Destined to stare misfortune in the face; 

Invincible, triumphant, vanquishing all fears ; 
Persistent effort won for thee a place. 

The surface rough, unsightly the surroundings 
To valley no defect viewing from the height ; 

Behold the attending victories and boundings, 
Indust-ry is genius — the magic wand of might. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 169 



EXPERIENCE OF A GAME WARDEN. 

When once in the woods of Wisconsin 
A law the deer did protect, 
A man with his gun came along, 
Fired, and the shot took effect; 
The warden smelt the powder, 
And was working for an arrest, 
When on stepping into a shop, 
Said the butcher, "Venison's the best 
Fresh and smooth, there it lay, 
Our Pat he kilt it to-day." 
The arrest was shortly made. 
Instead of a deer, a calf was laid, 
Not being evidence enough to show 
Court was obliged to let Pat go. 
And the warden felt great surprise 
That he could not believe his own eyes ; 
However, the "joke" was too rich to keep, 
For, said the hunter, "it fell in a heap," 
And finally Pat was forced to confess 
The deer fell over a log, and it cost him his gun 
and his dog. 



170 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



HALLUCINATION. 



Two tramps were coming along one day 
And reaching a house of splendid array 
Soon planned to have a square meal 
(And see what there was to steal) ; 
When on opening wide the door 
That had just "been closed" before, 
Finding only a pale-faced lady 
By the name of Margery Grady, 
They did not wait a minute, but 
Opened a chest to see what was in it. 
Then the lady said, "Very well 3^ou can 
While I step to the door and call 
My man." She did, and called, "O, John." 
Now John there was none, she was alone 
Though the rascals did not know it 
And thought they had to go it, 
So away they went without a cent. 
The chest was empty, "nothing in it," 
Nary a John, though had there been it 
Only fancy the good it did her 
And she a lone, lone widow. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST I7I 



PROPHETIC PIE. 

Passing along up Platte canal, 
I spied a place where parties dwell 
Particular friends, and great for pie, 
None knew it better than did I. 
They had a lovely daughter, 
She said, "Take another quarter ; 
This pie is crisp and toothsome. 
Come often — we get so lonesome." 

Though being of bashful meekness, 

I have a certain weakness 

For "pie" and the lovely cooks, 

Deserving a place in books ; 

So I faithfully oft returned 

To perform the aforesaid errand, 

The best days of my life — 

And the "cook" became — lovely wife. 



1 72 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



TO WITH COMPLIMENTS. 

Ice cream and cake quite fit for a king 
Were served in the heart of the mountains, 
By a lady indeed — unawares a Queen, 
Unaffected as forest or fountains. 

A generous bowl, most- suitably seasoned 
Made from ice, perpetual and native, 
Pure as cold crystal springs 
From the peaks pointing skyward 
With snow caps like stars relative. 

The cake was thick cut, three slices in one, 
Sandwiched in with sauce from wild berries. 
Much in contrast the cream, and her cheeks 
The latter were ruddy as cherries. 

Song birds and squirrel.^ made merry outside, 
While within — conversation more pleasing 
Than all the rest of the treat I confess. 
Little Norman, explained as to freezing. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 173 

Altogether should say, delightful occasion 
Many thanks, for remembrance so kind, 
Again would respond on slightest persuasion, 
I pray you to bear me in mind. 



PRESENCE OF MIND. 

A tramp at a certain house one day 

Demanded — a dinner, and "right away;" 

The lady turned as she said, "I will," 

(The tramp began to rummange a till.) 

She returned with a gun in hand 

And over the fence the tramp did land; 

The stock was gone, the gun not loaded. 

No respects were left, like as he owed it, 

But prompt on seeing the barrels and sight 

So very great was the fellow's fright 

That when in the fligh,t he did not stop 

At the gate, nor wait to kick it. 

Just passed out over the fence, a picket — 

And whence, she did not know, as only 

A piece of coat tail was left, to show 

That he had" been there and "decided" to go. 



174 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



SLAVES TO FORM. 

The good housewife is known 

To choose her patches 

Adequate to the place she's mending 

And is tasty as to choice ; 

Many there are who pick on Monday 

As the "only" day to wash 

No matter who offending. 

There are whole families 

Who breakfast "just at Hve" 

Each morning, winter, summer, 

As if their lives depended on it. 

Such slaves to form are 

Always on the murmur 

You may depend upon it. 

Merely machines, simply automatic 

So perfect slaves to form 

Set in their ways, concise, emphatic. 

Yet meaning no one harm. 

"If this or that were only so, or .so, 

I would be fully satisfied." 

Wishing for something quite impossible 

Till they have died. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 175 

Plenty of persons who if as perfect as precise 
Would rank well with the angels. 
Waste so much time at something, over nice 
Miss most of the best things. 



ENVIRONMENT. 

The theory and practice 

Of worms of the dust" 
Must be a mistake 

And musty — it must 
Be about time to take 

On a pace quite unknown 
To the ass and the burro 

And "pass up" the plea 
That the "old rut" and furrow 

So faithfully followed 
By the plodders 

Who plodded away 
As not just the thing 

For the light of to-day. 



176 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



A MERCHANTS EXPERIENCE. 

There are people who are honest 
Who would not steal a pin, 
Who terrorize the merchant 
The moment they step in ; 
Better known as tasters 
And samples of goods 
Than bona fide customers, 
Hail from the backwoods. 
For such a lack of breeding 
Is found not to the front. 
Maybe this is severe, but 
It's practical and blunt. 

The grapes and pears and apples, 
The peaches and the plums, 
Get badly twisted out of shape 
By mashing of the thumbs ; 
The apricots and raisins. 
The codfish and cucumbers 
Do not escape the racket 
Of tasters and of thumbers, 
Nor is this all the story 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 177 

That is left me here to tell, 
For after so much wringing, 
The goods are hard to sell. 
Decay gets in its work, and 
The shrinkage is so great 
The merchant can't keep even 
By working hard and late. 
By modern competition, goods 
Must be on display, and 
Hence the kegs and boxes 
Are handled every day. 
And besides the advertising, 
There is the rent to pay. 
The goods are hard to keep, 
Must be the best and cheap. 
So with the average dealer 
One can always make a sweep. 
No matter who the merchant, 
What the city, where the store, 
Yon can get a splendid bargain 
On every single floor. 
At last there is a mortgage 
On the merchant's little home, 
Which with the store is closed. 
He is left the streets to roam ; 
The merchant v/ho was thrifty. 
More than forty out* of fifty. 
Then arraign the horrid taster. 



178 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

And then lander in the jail, 
Leave not the cause or reason 
For another such a tale. 
You and you are to take the hint, 
This is written for the print ; 
Don't be thought of inferior race, 
For feeling fruit at the market place. 



AT THE PIE COUNTER. 

I will trade you my tie 
For a small piece of pie, 
My purse is quite empty 
As also am I. 
Am thoroughly awake to the 

Days that you bake 
And nobody else can 

Just such pies make. 
I do love the cooks 
Nobody can beat them. 
They love to make pies 
And I love to help eat them. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 179 



FRESH PORK. 

To have a clear conscience is one thing 
To be brave hearted another, 
But I long and pine for a stomach 
That will not be a constant bother. 

Am free to confess there's no other distress 
That can ever nearly compare 
With a stomach so flat, as a sat upon hat 
Oh say, have you ever been there? 

Without invitation, they come and repeater 
Without hesitation you're sure to greet her, 
From custard to hard boiled eggs at night, 
.You'll flounder and throw, it's a holy fright. 

My habits are simple, my wants very few, 
And I long for a stomach so strong 
That nothing but cabbage and bacon will do 
To keep it from going wrong. 



l80 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



HIS NAME WAS BILL. 

I sat by a man at supper long, 

Who "swigged" six cups of coffee strong; 

For said he, "Must hev it that way 

Rigler three times a day, 

Strong es the cook kin make it. 

When I kin git more I take it; 

The doctor says must , hev it. 

To keep me goin' you see — 

So I always will, for it fills 

The bill, as full as 'Bill' can be." 

He threw them down something like 
A pitcher would throw a ball 
And caught like a champion catcher 
Seems as if you could hear them fall 
Like pails of swill in a painted tank, 
And however patient the waiter 
He forgot her even to thank. 

That coffee went down like magic 
Or as if by strong machinery. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST lOI 

I take it his dreams were tragic, 
The effect would spoil the scenery, 
When told that's six thousand cups a year, 
Down went another with an "I don't ker." 



LITTLE DOG PRINCE. 

Doggy, my faithful little pet. 
The likes of you I never met. 
So true and tried so many years 
Between me and all harm or fears. 
Eyes so brown and head upraised 
Intelligence, greatly to be praised. 
Good qualities so numerous 
Thy very shadow I would bless ; 
A dingy yellow, very true. 
Yet my heart is set on you. 



l82 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



MENU. 

The cunning of some cooks 
Is to me a great conundrum, 
We little know what we eat, 
(The greatest surprise is meat.) 
They make it in a pie, flour it 
For to fry, never saw the beat. 

Traveled sixty miles that day, 
"Tea" was displayed, very nice way, 
The fowl that was served 
So brown and so neat, I thought 
Indeed a very great treat, as of it 
Abundantly proceeded to eat. 

After supper, was sitting back 
Seemingly nothing did lack 
When "lady cook," a homely creature, 
Said how did you enjoy your tea, 
With fowl as the special feature? 
"O, ,very well, what was it, pray tell ?" 
Yes, said she, a favorite juuK, 
"Strictly speaking, it was skunk." 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 183 

Had traveled about a good deal, 
Probably eaten a crozu at a meal, 
For supper and thought it all right 
And not knowing, did not growl, 
Tho', strictly speaking, it was "foul." 



SURE FIRE. 

When in the dim vista of a sequestered past 
Things get remembered too trivial to last 
Dates that in history yet remain unseen, 
Whose mind was gorged even to extreme. 

Aye, loaded to the hilt with figures ever ready 
With the slightest tilt, ever constant steady. 
Make you tired by telling, and note each date 
Could a head so full be called a shallow pate. 

Turn on your heel at last ; no immediate reaction 

She talks and talks and talks so fast 

With the utmost satisfaction 

Continues giving dates and measurements 

Of but the slicfhtest circumstance. 



184 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



THE MOSQUITO. 

If everything else were clear 
As mosquitos' vision o' nights, 
Just as you raise to strike 
Takes ever so suddenly flight 

With his gimlet to bore 
In the length of a space 
The whole human race'd 
Be sunk in miserable gore. 

He is a scientific cuss, and when 
He starts to fall upon you thus — 
Wait till he ketches on, and then 
Just land him one without no fuss. 

"Sing a song" if you think it best, 
"All right" says I, "I'll do the rest." 
Have made a "rake ofif" time'n agin, 
'Wake all night'n order ter win 
The 'victory, in a single battle 
Else me bones'd been left t' rattle. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 185 



MY OLD HAT. 

I bought me a hat 

With lining green 
And cork for trimmings, 

As could be seen. 
The latter would often 

Bob up and down 
As out in the sun 

I didn't have to frown, 
And I thought to myself 

As I came and went 
That green for lining 

Was no accident. 
At least for a man 

Of labor and toil. 
It had a mild effect 

Like sardines in oil. 
Was strictly conducive 

To meditation 
As it had all around 

The best ventilation. 



l86 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

The hottest weather 
Is about "dog days," 

Who "talks through his hat" 
Don't care what he says. 



ANTI-LISTLESSNESS. 

Always keep your wits about you 
And your chin from drooping down, 
Lips quite well compressed, together 
Then if any one's around 
They'll not know your indecision, 
Even in the darkest weather. 

Do not frown upon an enemy, 

Nor smile too hard on a brother. 

But trifles these may seem 

Better not to dream through the day 

That your bird wit, indecision, 

The extent of your derision 

Do not give you dead away. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 187 



TO THE MARKET. ■ 

'A perfect woman nobly plan'd 
To warn, to comfort and command; 
And yet a spirit still and bright 
With something of angelic light." 

Now you just come here 
My husband dear 
And leave me no more 
Till you go to the store ; 
I want and must have 
Nothing less nor more 
Some crackers and meal, 
Some fish and some eel, 
Some sugar and coffee. 
Nutmeg and some tea. 
Some thread and some shoes 
Now be careful and see 
The rogues do not cheat, 
For such rascals they be. 
Oh, yes bring some stockings 
For our sweet baby Rosa, 
I fear you don't listen. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Do you hear what I say? 
Then there is no flour 
And some kind of meats, 

do get some muslin 

To make us some sheets ; 
Must have a new bedstead 
For that other room. 
And, too, by the way, 
Do get me a broom ; 
If you forget that 

1 will scalp you, indeed, 
And don't you come home 
Without something to read. 
I would like some cinnamon. 
Tapioca and cocoa — but 
You'll not take time 

To get all that we need. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 189 



THE NEW WOMAN IN POLITICS. 

Woman, new in politics? 

"Nothing new under the sun," 
Bird wings and chicken feathers. 

Bobbing up now and again. 
Some, of course, vote single, 

While others vote by two, 
Like everything else it's easy 

"If" you know just how to do. 

Now there's a bright red ribbon, 

Now here's a light red hair, 
"Now just prepare your ballot. 

And place it right in there." 
First give your name and very age, 

'Tis shown, that she is single, 
There's a slight degree of rage. 

Her blood begins to tingle. 

Indeed begins to boil and rile. 

As she turns on her heel, 

With a "Wait awhile," 

And, too, somewhat at her own expense, 



igO CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Judge wrote down : "For want of sense." 
Thought to myself while taking note, 
A pity you thus have lost your vote. 
She muttered, "My name is so and so," 
But my age "they got no right to know." 



LINES. 

If you borrow or lend 
If you buy, sell or spend. 
You'll lose some cool friend 
Every year by the end. 

One you thought to be true 
May go back on you, 
And great luck you're in 
If he don't get your tin. 

Not infrequent the case 
If you give him the space 
He will show enough cheek 
To eclipse his whole face. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST I9I 



THE LATEST STYLE. 

Saw a lady on the street car, 

With bangs that were done 

Only passing fair, 

She would paste them down 

On her temples with spittal, 

Chew so hard at her gum, 

You could most hear it rattle, 

But for the din of the car. 

Bless me I thought she would tire 

As now and again she would 

Strike at her gum, which if flint, 

Would have set her afire. 

One would think she would 

Surely have broken a tooth, 

By such indiscretion 

Of (no longer a youth) 

Thus being the victim 

Of exceeding bad taste. 

Exerted her muscles 

Clear down to her waist. 

Said it didn't taste bad 

Since first she began it, 



192 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

And who didn't chew gum, 
Of late isn't in it. 
The lady who sat on 
The right at her elbow, 
Said, "What do you think 
Of that for a show?" 
Once well out of hearing 
I answered, declaring, 
A first class canard I trow. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 193 



THE DANCE. 

"She shops all day, dances all night 
And gads around as she wishes; 
Her mother complains 
She's never found strength 

' To tackle a panful of dishes." 

I fear you dance to an excess 
In every country, more or less. 

If lots of fun is a good thing 

If lots more is better ; 
And some "fraiF fairy" finds it so 

Suppose we'll have to let her. 

Spring up and down, awhirl and spin, 
On passing and reflecting 

It would seem so I do not know 
If bad for her complecting. 

If exercise is a good thing 
And motion maketh muscle. 

To be as good at working 
You'll surely have to hustle. 



194 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



APRIL FOOL. 

A cultured lady cooking cakes 
Catcheth my eye and me fancy takes, 
Causeth content of a certain kind, 
Ceaseth hunger and consoleth the mind ; 
Though looks are so often deceiving 
And seeing not always believing, 
Though she with her bright eyes was 
To me "the star of the goodly company." 
'Twas on the first morning of April, 
I saw on her face a very dim smile 
Which contained a hidden meaning. 
Yet I didn't know what was convening. 
The batter contained a whole euchre deck 
Sufficiently stirred to secrete every speck. 
The cakes were ever so brown and crisp ; 
Heard from her lips a sort of a lisp, 
"Sit up and have something to eat, 
I've in store for you such a treat ; 
Seems to me you are awfully slow, 
Will like my cooking so well I know ; 
Now here are the syrup and butter. 
Next griddle's beginning to sputter." 



CHIMES OF THE WEST IQS 

Take care what you turn for trumps 
There are spots on the moon 
There are measles and mumps, 
And tricks in all trades they say, 
There are games you never can play. 
The joker's mostly the highest card out. 
In this the joke "is the higher" no doubt. 
And when "the cook" is the winning card 
The guest should be strictly on his guard. 
According to Marquis of Queensbury Rules 
There is no end to the April Fools. 



THANKSGIVING. 

When the year is gray with age. 
Writ on light and shaded page, 
When her flowers are withering, 
Then, we thank her for the spring. 

Spring shall come and spring shall go 
Linked below the unfriendly snow, 
Now gratitude I sign by thee 
Hope's pledge for blessings yet to be. 



196 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



A STRANGE, TRUE STORY. 

There was a certain lawyer 

Ah me, alas ! 
Who so largely composed 

Of brass 
Had enough of said metal 
To make a big kettle ; 
Ten gallons about, if well 

Hammered out. 

In the settling up of 

A large estate 
The minors all had so long 

To wait 
They starved for bread 

And butter, 
(Barrister's cheek was 

Intensely utter). 
Nor shall I try to flatter, 
There is no doubt 
That the excreted matter 
Of that fellow's hide, if 

Thoroughly fried 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 197 

And rendered as hard 
As the "case" (never tried) 
It would make ten gallons 
Of lard. 

'Piecemeal they win this acre first 
Then that ; glean on and on 
And gather up the whole estate." 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



PSEU-DO. 

Precarious Senor punctillious 

Though punctual and pretty 

And parted his hair in the middle 

Was dressy and neat, pernicious as witty ; 

Would lie, and was vile with deceit. 

Sported a suite at the best hotel, 

Nothing too good for such a swell, 

Held aloof from common people, 

Thought himself "up" like a steeple. 

From the far East, boasted a fortune; 

"Was backed by a Lombard or so ;" 

So talkative even to strangers 

That all might generally know. 

Was buying some mines, 

A railroad and some land. 

Had men running after him. 

Almost to beat the band ; 

It was they who were beaten 

Out of money and time. 

Even beat the hotel, begory, 

This the end of my story. 



CHIMES OF THE WE.ST 199 



TO A LAZY FELLOW. 

Too heavy for light work. 
Too light for heavy work. 

Wish I were officer of the day 

When daddy sings, 
Wish I were master of ceremonies 

And all such things. 

Wish I were a hunter 

Of particular skill ; 
Or a first-class fisherman 

With net so full. 

Wish I were a boarder at 

Some first-class hotel, 
But say, I wouldn't be it 

If I had to pay the bill. 



200 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



THE PHONOGRAPH. 

I have a concert phonograph, 

It cost a hundred dollars, 

First announcement makes you laugh 

The phunny fellow follows. 

A prima Irish donna then 
With banjo and with mandolin, 
In clamorous accents will begin 
And sing, with spicy phrases in. 

The brass band, the piano, and 
Profundo bassos music stand 
The soubrette, with nerve and sand 
Alfalfa widower sure to land. 

The songerphone is an event 
A gifted graph invention — 
Plays and sings and other things 
Too numerous to mention. 

Claimed by some who have no ear 
'Tis always out of tune — 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 

They tumble to its repertoire 
Including Bonnie Doon. 

All through, the phoncert conograph 
The thing is worth the money, 
Reminds you so of Edison 
And pleases Ed— my sonny. 



201 



MY CREED. 

More fresh air and sunshine 
More water and more soap ; 
More love of Nature, 
More confidence, more hope; 
More reciprocal good will, 
More practical ideal. 
More effort for the goal. 
More earnest heart and soul ; 
More thankiulness for birth, 
More heaven here on earth ! 



202 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



GOD— IN EFFECT. 

See God in the expression of noble people, 
See him in the planets and the stars, 

See him in the joyousness of the little children, 
See him in the song birds and the flowers. 

See him in the faces of the rocks and waters, 
See him in the clouds and in the sun. 

See him in the rainbow, and in remotest quarters. 
See him in all growth that is going on. 

See him in dumb animals and fowls and fishes 
See him in the mountain and the plain, 

See him in ambition prompting but good wishes, 
See him in the dew drop and the rain. 

See him in all peoples, whatever creed or color, 
See him unfettered in man's mind, 

See him ever prompting, man to man is brother, 
See him, aye, most wonderfully kind. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 203 

See him in progression and activity, 

See him in whatever is is well, 
See him in all being, and what is yet to be. 

See him in more than words can tell. 



PROCESS. 

As bulb and bud precede 

The beauteous blossom. 
As flowers and fruit form only 

From the. fertile soil. 
So are the crude and mediocre 

In mankind removed by method; . 
So refinement and maturity 

Respond to honest toil ; 
Till precious books are one prolonged delight, 
Till art and music serve the highest need; 

Till the birthday of each year 
And of thy being. 
Proves life is life, 
And love the only creed. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



, • "I LIKE THAT." 

My life is one outpourin', 

Constant round of joy; 
Happier an' more'n 

When I was a boy; 
Was bubblin' over then 

Between my sober moods, 
But now I have outgrown 

The "old-time" solitudes. 

No use fer any feller 

That's al'us lookin' sour; 
H'aint no attraction fer me, 

Nor partikel of power. 
Jest like ter see a spider 

Prancin' on a thread, 
Instead of estimatin' 

How it'll be when 'e is dead. 

Like ter see the playful sperit 
Last along up through the teens, 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 205 

An' the prankiness of children 
Fer the footlights of the scenes, 

For the old and middle-aged. 
That's what I like, I say ! 

So if God comes in fer quarters. 
He might kinder like ter stay ! 



A GIFT FLOWER. 

Plucked up from the garden of flowers, 
In the garden oi hearts it is set ; 

Deprived of the sunlight and showers, 
With memory's dews it is wet. 

I would that the flower had not faded. 
As all that is earthly departs ; 

But still its true fragrance is cherished 
And that is the friendship of hearts. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 



RECONCILED. 

Why bewail such things 

As wind and weather? 

It seldom snows or blows 

So bad but one may be about. 

Why art thou sensitive 

As a feather, 

Frowning with each breath 

Or in or out. 

Why ever questioning, in part 

Or wholly 

As being for the best; 

Emulate the spirit of the 

Meek and lowly, 

Whatever is, is best. 

Since when hast thou seen fit 

To fix a standard 

For the whole world 

And all mankind beside? 

Far better be subservient 

To 'the mission 

"Do thou with me abide." 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 2Xf] 



SELF RELIANCE. 

Have faith in self, and hear 

Thy conscience say: Well done; 
Fear not so much the storms 

That unto thee may never come. 

Live more unto the "Now," 

And less to the "To Be." 
Saying is good, doing is better; 

Being, best of all the three. 

Less superstition, face about, be free; 

Unlearn most race beliefs. 
However hard the lesson unto thee; 

Wake up, avoid the shoals and reefs. 

Away with old-time prejudice, and learn 
Creeds are but stepping stones to truth. 

To know the good (the God) within thyself 
Is to possess the spring of an eternal youth. 



208 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



SERVICE. 

Pray tell me what thy ofifice is 
More than a life of usefulness ; 

I love to sing the highest praise 
Of one who is industrious. 

Much labor is but that of love, 
Yet still are serving, longs to serve; 

Noble art thou, — 1 say divine! 
God given, faithful to thy time. 

Blessed be he who bent with age, 
Yet still art serving, long to serve ; 

Thrice blessed he thus to engage 
From duty never known to swerve. 

I bow before the holy shrine ; 

I emulate, devoutly prize, — 
There is reward ! Great may be thine. 

Triumphant thou to realize. 

Could I bestow this in exchange 
For kindly courtesies received, 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 209 

Unlimited would be thy range, 
Thy burdens promptly to relieve. 

Hast builded better than ye knew, 
By serving others faithful, true, 

Dost best conserve thy highest needs 
Shalt reap the harvest of good deeds. 

Thy hands evince the wear and tear, 
Thy face outlines the marks of care ; 

May sweetest rest vouchsafe to be 
God's richest blessings unto thee. 



210 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



INTEGRITY. 

Integrity, thou blessed word ! 
Thrice blessed principle ! 
In vivid form as lofty peak, 
Abiding and eternal. 

Thy superstructure all of good. 
Integrity, thou art of God, 
As all-wise better understood. 
To emulate, adore and laud. 

How could I speak thy matchless worth, 
Send thine exalted splendor forth, 
Make more substantial monument 
Than hold in sacred memory 
Sweet, loyal souls who, heaven-sent, 
Lived ever faithful unto thee. 
Integrity ! Integrity ! 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 211 



BE TRUE. 

Out of the sacred silence 

A sweet voice comes to me: 

"Be thankful, ever thankful! 

Whatever is, is well — is well. 

Whatever is, is w 11 ! 

Whatever you do, be true, aye true! 

Whatever you do, be true !" 

Out of the night the day — 

Out of the day, the night — 

Some sweet voice doth say: 

"Whatever is, is right, is right, 

Whatever is, is right ! 

VV^hatever you do, be true, aye true, 

Whatever you do, be true." 

Silence ever — harmony — blending. 
Everywhere, through all, extending, 
Sweet voice, celestial symphony. 
That ever seems — ever r^oes say: 



212 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

VVhatever is, is wcxi with you, 
If you will only be true, aye true, 
Whatever you do, be true ! 



INVENTION. 

Many men are scientific, 

Much theyv'e done and said 

So exceedingly prolific 

Can't get it through my head. 

Some are meddling with the lightning 

"That's too tight," this needs tightening 

If this were shorter, that were longer, 

It would run better, smoother, stronger. 

Now here they give a demonstration, 

Now there they solve some puzzle; 

Till, notwithstanding all the same 

The wheels and engines go a sizzle. 

Tell you what, it seems to me 

That steam and electricity 

Would be a dandy sight to see 

Reversed, on the same doubletree. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 213 



DISTANCE. 

I heard a sweet song, heard it glide 
Echoing through the trembling air, 

Then farther in the wood it died, 
And went from me I know not where. 

No passing bird of wing so swift, 
No bird so strong in flight or gift 

Enchanted, but in weariness 

Feels Nature's distance, dreariness. 

The very winds that sweep the sea. 
Like brooms wear out, and wearily 

The dashing streamlet's wildest play 
Scatters in mist not far away. 

Illusion and hope's silvery wing 
Shall cleave the sky and evening bring 
From far away undying fame, 
The wide' wide world owes thee a name. 

Then hope took wing, or seemed to fly. 
While fancy dreamed in ecstasy. 



214 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Dreamed and awoke, the night wind called. 
And said, "Thy life is narrow walled." 

I blow by land, I blow by sea, 

Brief message, drifting memory. 
Is thus to thee yon wind and wave — 

To thee and me a new made grave. 



HOW TO WAIT. 

Have you ever learned the lesson 

How to wait? 
Forever, if need be, and a day 
The most important lesson 

Of a life-time; 
The highest of all philosophy. 

It is said all things come to 

Him who waits. 
It is amply worth the trying 

You will see. 
The process of growth from acorn 

, To the oak ; 
Is likewise the law of growth 

In thee. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 215 



OBSERVATIONS. 

I have seen the great and glorious 

Rocky mountain range 
Rise up in her majesty 

And beckons to the plains, 
Arrayed m royal purple 

Blendings of pink and white, 
To greet the golden sunrise 

God of beauty and of might. 

I have seen the mighty river 

In silence wend its way, 
But the ripple of a zephyr 

With the midnight stars to play, 
On its peaceful placid bosom, 

Decked with diamonds from the dome 
Traced its bearings to the ocean 

The great realm of surge and foam. 

I have lingered in the forest 

Where the tree tops courtly sway, 
Heard their music in the minor 



2l6 CHIMES OF THE WEST 

Discord set to harmony ; 
When the surges seemed to revel, 

Lash the leaves in sportive glee, 
iLchoing in joyous encore, 

To mountain, river, plain and sea. 



THANKFUL. 

I am thankful for a showing ; 
Thankful for a chance of growing; 
For thankfulness, and knowing 

How to grow; 
Truly thankful for the chances, 
For the progress and advances ; 
More than thankful for ih.i chance 

'i'o have a show ! 

Glad and thankful for the glimmer ; 
For no longer cause to murmur, 
Through the darkness for a shimmer 

Of the light; 
Till at last no longer worry; 
Stay my haste and cease to hurry ; 
Thankful finally to know that 

"Whatever is is right ! 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 217 



ETERNAL FITNESS. 

There are persons, many of them 

Who are the embodiment of the good, 

The pure, the true, rightly to view. 

Selfishness doth not dominate 

The earth to-day, rather its opposite. 

'Tis but to know and see aright — 

Calmly reflect. 

The tiniest bird is known 

To sing and sing, because it has to, 

One does not dare to harm 

An inoffensive thing. It would not do. 

Justice and right and brotherhood 

Have gained the day to so great degree 

Their opposites create sensation. 

Who is it, not practically impelled 

By an inborn sense ot right? 

The eternal fitness of things 

Doth plainly show on every hand ; 

The inexhaustible supply, 

The all sufficiency; 

That an omnipresent sovereign good (or God) 

Is in command, is evident to me. 

(The mortal world redeems the material.) 



2l8 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



NOT STRANGERS. ^ 

You are not alien — strange to me; 
We are of one great family. 
If we could only understand 
The life of Love in God and man, 
The love of Love in you and me, — 
One love, one common sympathy 
Would reign through all in unity. 
Broad as the sky, deep as the sea, 
Bright as the stars, warm as the sun, 
Love is but one ! Love is but one ! 

Your woes and sufferings are mine, 
Throughout the land and all of time, 
Love of to-day and yesterday. 
Love of one great fraternity. 
Love of a million years agone. 
Love of the true, millennial dawn, 
By universal law of love 
Each race and zone, supremely one 
Dear' heart hope on, no heart alone 
Love is but one. Love is but one. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 219 



WHY ASK I MORE? 

On topmost twig of a leafy tree 
Sat a plain brown thrush, and cheerily 
He chirped away, as if a., that be 
Were happy, content and free. 

He had dined that day on living things, 
On worms and insects with buzzing wings 
Unlike his own, but the life of these 
Went out in the songs degrees. 

Why sings the thrush in the world below 
Thus happy and free, I may never know — 
True, he feeds on worms and living things, 
But this I may know — he sings. 

I may not know how the bird to be 
Glorifies all by its melody, 
Like offerings then I may not bring. 
Yet I know that bird will sing. 



220 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



GENIUS. 

We admire genius under any guise, 

And in these modern times 

Would be hard to surprise; 

With electricity or steam 

Such advancement, like a dream, 

More ot genius every day 

This wonderful machinery. 

Artificial legs and eyes, 

Bones and skin, borrowed thighs, 

Science, genius, skill and tact. 

Almost gone beyond the fact. 

One can scarcely realize 

What it is before one's eyes. 

How it can be made to go 

Else some one is there to show. 

But the fellow's always there 

And the wheels go on the tear. 

Labor saving these inventions 

Their creators, no pretensions. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 221 



TO THE UNSEEN. 

Hark! angelic whispers 
From etherial blue 
Leaving scepter'd impress 
On receptive hearts and true. 
Linking God and good 
The human and Divine, 
Finite with the Infinite, 
All along the line. 
Life and light eternal, 
Dating farthest back 
Heaven is a condition, 
Nothing then may lack. 
The unseen, the real. 
Aye, the only true, 
Hark, angelic whispers 
From ethereal blue. 
Life and light eternal, 
Even on earth for thee, 
"Weary, heavy laden, 
Come thou unto me." 



222 CHIMES OF THE WEST 



PHENOMENA. 

Think of the artist, who painted the flowers, 
Think of the mountains, the valleys, the showers, 
Think how they come when'er they are bidden, 
Think of the treasure that therein is hidden. 

Think of the vast seas, the lakes and the ocean. 
The great heart of love, the lasting devotion ; 
Who produceth the actors is back of the stage; 
Whose own sovereign will controlleth the age. 

Think how great a world, of day and of night 
The birds and flowers, the joy and the light, 
The music, the fragrance, perfection ot pleasure 
Inexhaustible store of excellent treasure. 

Whence cometh love, and whence our devotion 
The symmetrical blending, the beauty of motion ; 
The orbs and the planets, the great solar system? 
Think where and from whence this wonderful 
wisdom. 



CHIMES OF THE WEST 223 



WHO LIVE IN A STAR. 

Then I entreat you, be of good courage 
Justice and right have gained the day 

Truth and love are wondrous forces 
No longer doubt their perfect sway. 

Light is enthroned and God is good 

"Right is might," is the spoken word 
The Divine in thee., the Royal road 



ADDIO. 

The good, the beautiful and true, 
Good will, and greetings unto you, 
Abundantly for each new day 
Hail thou upon the upward way. 
Good will more faith good cheer, 
A firmer hope, less doubt and fear 
Unfaltering, trusting to the end 
This the greeting I would send. 



Copies of Chimes of the West may be 
had by inclosing $i.oo by register or post- 
ofUce order to MORRIS C. SPRIGG, 
Box 51, Denver, Colorado. 



lUN 17 1903 



